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into their many nectaries. I wondered what colour this parent plant would be, praying it would be white, or at least purple, but definitely not 'apricot'.I finally planted it out in January when the topsoil arrived. Normally I wouldn't recommend jolting a plant

nutritious for both other plants and humans.Follow our tips on putting nettles to good use - but be sure to wear gloves at all times when handling them.For a basic soup you'll need about 200g of fresh nettle tips. Add 450g of potatoes, peeled and cubed, a

without drainage holesmid-April - July 20 minutes to plantharvest all year round depending on the cropHarden off greenhouse-raised plants if necessary by standing them in a sheltered spot outdoors for a week before planting.Before putting into the ground

Late-summer nectarAs some insects are still out foraging in late-summer, it's a good idea to provide food for them with nectar-rich, late-flowering plants.Plants for beesIn late-summer, many plants have finished flowering, but bees, butterflies

- all of which are rich in nectar, and are particularly attractive to hoverflies and lacewings whose larvae, in turn, eat aphids.Stinging nettles are essential food for the caterpillars of butterflies such as red admirals, tortoiseshells and peacocks

. If this year's youngsters and their parents can obtain enough energy now, they'll have the energy resources to survive leaner times ahead.Nesting parents have a particularly tough time in summer. The job of finding hundreds of caterpillars a dayis hard work