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I've just thrown a 'plant party', as part of 'Grow Your Own' Week. This involved my friends coming to my flat and learning how to sow tomatoes and chillies. We also discussed pricking out, transplanting, feeding and watering. It reminded me of my

after the snowdrops and before the first primroses, and then virtually disappear under the canopy of more showy summer plants. Sometimes they produce a smaller, second flush of flowers in late summer, which I only notice when gardening or sitting close

lying dormant at the bottom of ponds, where they slow down their metabolism and breathe through their skin. They can survive if the pond freezes over, but only if it has oxygenating plants growing in it (plants can still photosynthesise and produce

what it was, so I'd look to the sky for answers, hoping I'd see a cuckoo swoop down and spit on the plants. It was only a few years ago that I learned about the froghopper nymph, which protects itself from predators and dehydration in a coating of froth

and scabious, against a backdrop of a green-roofed garden office and serene water pools.I also liked the SKYShades Garden, designed by Marney Hall. Her garden depicted a range of wildlife habitats, including hedgerow and woodland planting schemes

hoverfly). Both of these are supposed to resemble the common wasp to deter predators, and are completely harmless. They lay their eggs on plants and their larvae eat aphids.Having abandoned hopes of growing the world's tallest sunflower, I'm now content

Last year I wrote about autumn tidying and the effect this can have on wildlife. I left my garden untouched over winter, leaving hibernating creatures snuggled under a duvet of fallen leaves and rotting stems. None of my plants died or were ravaged

and short corollas will attract the greatest variety of bees.The quality of nectar and pollen varies between plants and is an important consideration for bee-friendly gardeners. Nectar (carbohydrate) provides bees with the energy to fly, while pollen

I'm not sure I like moth orchids. They're pretty to look at when in flower, but a bit of a pain to care for if you want them to bloom again. And I think it's a bit sad that these beautiful plants, which should be growing in the canopy of an exotic

, oregano, thyme and mint. Now there are two gaps where the oregano and thyme grew, a half-dead rosemary and some scraggy chives. The mint, of course, is romping away. (Mint is a bit of a thug, and should be planted separately from other herbs to prevent