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up the water during warm weather.AdamTry mixing shells with the pebbles for a seaside effect.More creative garden DIY projectsBuilding a bamboo water hammerCreating a mini-pondMaking willow edgingBuilding a wooden planter

saw vast elephantine bananas, slightly creepy cycads, cavorting ferns, tall cacti, bombastic bamboos and exotic orchids.It was a great afternoon and the sun was shining, too — a bit of a result on the east coast of Scotland. The only thing that would

corners, the array of emerging artistic talent is worthy of a Turner Prize nomination. There are Heath Robinson-esque configurations of bamboo canes, bits of string and wire, variously coloured netting and the occasional bicycle wheel for good measure. I

of the plants without damaging them.An alternative method of support is required, so I'll resort to using bamboo plant supports. Long, thick canes are hammered down into the dry soil, and green string is wound round the clump from cane to cane to hold everything

of garden debris and remove them where necessary.AdamKeep the pond water free from algae with oxygenating plants. Try water mint, hornwort or Ceratophyllum demersum.More inspiration for water gardeningMake a bamboo water hammer.Make a bubbling urn water

-powered hedge-trimmerSafety goggles, glovesString line and canesSecure ladder and/or work platform for tall hedgesMay - September15 minutes per metre run of hedge Use long bamboo canes to mark the top edge along one side of the hedge. Push the canes down

, some cannas, bamboo canes, most of a fruit cage, various rodents, many spiders and assorted half-empty paint pots. Bit of a mess, really - especially when compared to Adam's shed.What it doesn't contain is much in the way of chemicals. I'm not strictly

a hedge, invisible from the house. There are a number of metal plant supports widely available that link together, making enclosures for each plant. Wonders can also be achieved using bamboo canes and string. With larger borders it's often effective

elder (both common or garden and American, Sambuccus canadensis); bamboos (what’s good enough for pandas is good enough for us) and all the normal currants, raspberries etc. Finally a layer of perennials like cardoons, rhubarb, crambe or daylilies

wooden box filled with stems of sunflower, teasel and bamboo to make a solitary bee hotel.But that's no guarantee - wildlife can choose the most unpredictable places to live. This summer I visited some buff-tailed bumblebees nesting in a concrete path