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, using railway sleepers, three high (about 50 cm), to make a raised water body. Triangular in shape, 2 metres long, with a deep corner dug down a further 50 cm and a shallow corner for marginal plants. Three species of damselfly, two species of dragonfly

, snails and froghoppers - and, of course, I watched the plants grow. I'm trying to cover the walls and fence with climbers, and seeing these scramble over new territory has been a delight. I wonder how much they'll grow in 2011.Many of my plants came from

is to blame, with wild areas of farmland sacrificed for bigger yields. Bumblebees now have fewer nesting opportunities and flowers to feed from.Grow a range of flowering plants all year - especially from March to November when bees are most active - to provide

A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology suggests that gardens make better habitats for bumblebees than the countryside. This isn't surprising, as field margins and hedgerows have become scarce over the years, so many species

rescue frogs were living in a drain. I have a pond, I have frogs, and I want to care for them. Habitat Aid offers a great selection of native pond plants online - including marginals and water lilies  - and half of profits are donated to Amphibian

Pond plantsWater enhances any garden, and there are a wide range of aquatic plants that will thrive when submerged in a pond. We spoke to expert grower Linda Smith at BBC Gardeners' World Live 2009, who recommended 10 of the best plants for garden

. These hairs protect the plant against dehydration and intense sunlight.S. arachnoideumThe attractive purple rosettes of 'Irazu' are offset beautifully by their silver leaf margins. The leaves can fade to a duller pink during winter.S. 'Irazu