However tiny the plot, you can make a contribution to restoring the balance of nature by gardening the ecological way. Grow flowers, shrubs, climbers and trees and even a wildlife have, all in a small space and without the use of harmful chemicals. Using nature to get the best from a garden, this book helps readers to: choose the most suitable plants for the soil and situation; feed them with natural compost; and attract bees and butterflies by growing the right plants. A small pond brings frogs, hedgehogs, birds and other wildlife to the garden, while a bank or corner dedicated as a wildflower meadow both helps preserve species and create an eye-catching feature.

Table of Contents

Planning an ecological garden - creating microclimates, choosing plants; using boundaries - localized shelter, fences, walls, hedges; looking at your soil - what doe it feel like?, what it look like?, what plants are growing?, soil acidity, soil types; feeding the soil - making compost, worm bins, leaf-mould, manure and other brought-in materials, compost bins; plants for different conditions - hot dry areas, windy areas, dry shade; creating habitats for wildlife; plants to attract birds - plants for seeds, plants for berries; plants for butterflies and bees; more insect frields and the plants they like - plants to attract hoverflies; designing and planting your pond - pond wildlife; weeds - living with your weeds, clearing the ground, using mulches; lawns and wild flowers - lawns, wild flowers; good ecological gardening - avoiding bonfires, using plastics, conserving water, timber and its treatment, alternatives to peat, threatened plant species, pesticides.