willows to make a new hedge, but planting is one of the most important things that you can do in your garden.Trees provide shelter and food for animals, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and improve the soil underneath them.Make green gifts. We all

: Grow pollen-rich plants Nectar- and pollen-rich plants are a favourite of bees and butterflies. It’s best to have at least two pollen-rich plants flowering in your garden during bees’ life cycle between March and September. There are lots of plants

to encourage all manner of creatures to your garden.5. Plant flowers to attract bees and butterflies Lavender, thyme, buddleia and sedum all encourage pollination.6. Leave out hedgehog and badger food Buy some special food from your local pet shop – bread

spot. If it is sunny, all the better, as sun speeds up the decomposing process. You need a balance of 'greens' and 'browns' to reap the best compost. Greens are wetter and quicker to rot and include vegetable and fruit peelings, tea bags, plant prunings

plants and herbs. Let your child select what she wants to grow and create a simple chart, following the progress of her blooms. The process of nurturing a living thing and self sufficiently growing food can be immensely satisfying for young children who

those scary plug-in ones and spend a couple of quid on a plant spray; half fill with water and a couple of drops of essential oil and spritz to your hearts content. You can also leave biocarbonate soda in a carton to neutralise odours. There is also