For gardeners wanting an alternative to chemical sprays, a soil-applied option is worth considering as a first step, and a good starting point is a range of slug nematodes for gardens suited to the pest in question.

For gardeners wanting an alternative to chemical sprays, a soil-applied option is worth considering as a first step, and a good starting point is a range of slug nematodes for http://wiki.die-karte-bitte.de/index.php/Benutzer_Diskussion:SherylSouthwell gardens suited to the pest in question.

A garden pond, even a small one, is one of the most valuable additions for wildlife. Frogs and newts use it to breed, dragonflies and damselflies lay eggs in it, and birds and hedgehogs will drink and bathe at the edges given the chance.

Sited well and left in peace, an insect house can become a genuinely busy part of the garden. Many gardeners start by comparing a few insect houses before choosing one to match the space available.

Placement decides whether the house gets used at all. A fixed position at around waist to head height, facing south or south-east to catch the morning sun, and sheltered from driving rain and strong wind, gives insects the stable conditions they need. Once occupied, the house is best left undisturbed through the nesting and overwintering period.

Leaving a few deliberately untidy corners does more good than a uniformly neat border. A patch of long grass, a stack of logs left to slowly rot down, and leaf litter left in place over winter all provide shelter for insects, amphibians and small mammals that a fully cleared garden simply cannot offer.

Stocking the pond with the right planting from the start makes a noticeable difference to how quickly it settles. A good place to begin is a considered selection of pond plants suited to the pond’s size and depth.