Create a Butterfly Garden

A Butterfly Garden Kit can help children appreciate the beauty of butterflies in the garden. In addition to the kit comes a certificate to get 5 live caterpillars sent to you to grow on until they metamorphise into butterflies. Then they can then be released into your garden.

Butterflies then will look for nectar and pollen from your garden flowers. Buddleja, Pinks, Achillea and wild flowers are ideal plants to grow. You can buy seeds or plants in a range of varieties and clours. Butterfly seed mixture from Thompson & Morgan

Only the Cabbage White butterfly caterpillars have ever done any damage in my garden. That was to the brassicas and who needs too much cabbage anyway. So as an environmentally sound wildlife garden project give butterflies a treat this summer.

Butterflies like a drop of water and a bird bath can be of some use.

Related Links

Get Butterflies in your garden
How to attract butterflies in your garden

Watering Cans for Colourful Gardens

Watering Cans can add a splash of colour as well as a splash of water.

The tomatoes on this can will benefit from regular watering. I take the rose off to get a stream of water down into the deep roots of the tomato via a sunken plant pot alongside each plant.

Colourful cans and traditional ‘Haws’ cans (red) with a good balance can make light work of watering.

Girlie Gardeners do a fine pink watering can for a lightweight load.

Note
Watering cans in plastic do not react to garden chemicals but go hard and brittle with UV sunlight.
Galvanised metal cans are the more sturdy, traditional and longer lasting.

List of Plants in RHS Plant Finder

If you want to know where to find 73,000 plants the Royal Horticultural Society Plant Finder 2010-2011 is the source for you.

Containing contact details, with maps, for over 750 nurseries it will help you locate and buy your plants.

At £8.00 for about 1000 pages of valuable information it is a good buy or present for another gardener.

Easy Hanging Baskets

Ideal for annuals, tumbler tomatoes or a winter arrangement a well furnished hanging basket adds a new dimension to any garden or outdoor space.

• Select your baskets for aesthetic values because they will attract everyones eye.

• Keep your baskets filled, watered and cared for and locate them in a sunny position.

• Flower pockets and single seasons use baskets are low cost and good value and usually made from plastic or a compostable liner.

• Wrought Iron baskets can last many years and be replanted as required.

• Aim to use large baskets, a 14″ will hold more than double the compost a 10″ basket holds.

Credit for photo ‘Sentinel’ exfordy on flickr

Path Cleaning and Cleaners

I have previously only used chemicals to remove moss and algae on paths but this winter has left more problems than usual and I am looking to buy a Karcher pressure washer . There are a range to choose from at Focus see pressure washers.

The chemical alternatives

• The strongest chemicals I have used are Trichlorates as used by farmers to clean milking parlors. They are strong alkalines and you must avoid run off onto your soil.
• Path clear Moss & Algae Killer destroys moss, algae and lichens on all kinds of hard surfaces including decking, brick paving, patios, fences, sheds, glass, perspex, garden furniture, walls, paved areas and driveways.It is available from most garden centers and Amazon.
• I have not tried patio magic, a concentrate for cleaning decking and patios but it comes recommended

Path Cleaning and Cleaners
Garden Disinfectants
Best Weed Killers
Wood Care
Fence Care

Plant Theatre and Display Methods

Display your favourite plants at varying heights in a Plant Theatre.

• This type of display shelving allows you to raise the plants you have raised closer to eye level.
• The depth of field is increased.
• You can show more plants in less floor space
• Plant Theatres can be free standing or wall mounted

A Plant Theatre in pale blue painted wood costs circa £34.99

Wall mounts can display your potted plants in a vertical manner at low cost. It also disguises a bare brick wall in the picture shown below.

Alternative Design Plant Theatre with stainless pots as an extra from to provide a stunning display