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Chris Beardshaw demonstrates how to remove blanket weed from a pond and offers advice on adding marginal plants and oxygenators to reduce excess nitrogen.summerMore water gardening advicePlanting marginals in a containerGrowing marginal pond plants

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

over and remove it once a layer of ice has formed. If the pond has already frozen, make a hole by leaving a pan of hot water on the surface, allowing the base of the pan to melt the ice. Froglife also warns against smashing or pouring hot water

now largely excavated the area and removed most of the bulbs and corms. Only my daughter's plot is untouched - apparently squirrels don't like climbing inside children's wheelbarrows.The remaining bulbs and corms are now hidden, camouflaged beneath

of pale, blousy flowers for the last 10 years.The rest of the garden has matured a bit since then, so we can afford a bit of bare wood before we decide what to do next. And, in removing the tangled stems, we uncovered a series of pale opalescent pearls

've no idea what variety the apple tree is. It was in the garden when we arrived at our house, 12 years ago, the legacy of a previous owner, whose only other contributions to horticultural delight were chain-link fences and concrete.I do, however, use

woodlouse in the middle of moulting. Unlike insects and spiders, which rid the whole outer skin at once, woodlice remove first the back half, then, a few days later, the front half. This is the smooth woodlouse, Oniscus asellus, just slipping off its

of hot water on the surface, allowing the base of the pan to melt a hole. Then leave a plastic ball in the hole overnight, and remove it the following morning when the pond surface has refrozen. This enables noxious gases to leave the pond. ARC also warns

I think it’s going to be a good year for stag beetles in East Dulwich. On May 16th there were three flying around in the evening, two males and a female. Then on the 29th I found the chap, pictured left, buzzing about as I was bringing

in a tree or building away from predators, strong sunlight and wind. A north-east facing spot is best.1.5m x 15cm x 1.25cm piece of untreated, sawn timber20cm x 2.5cm nails, 3cm x 2.5cm self-tapping screwsDrill and 25mm, 28mm or 32mm wood drill bit (see