Water

 I cleaned my pond, it was full of green slimy weed, I also redid the pebbles, I had seen a pond on Instagram and loved what they had designed. I collected my big pebbles from around my garden for the front of the pond and added tiny smooth pea shingle, I did purchase just two tiny plants and the yellow poppy.

It now looks more natural, I can't wait for the flowers to grow, I had been given too many silly bits which I thought I should use, I now only have the fake waterlily and a couple of resin fish, much nicer, I won't put real fish in here as they eat all smaller bugs and flies.

I am loving these pebbles rising out of the water and over the edge of the pond, I have tried to mix the stones to make it interesting, the only thing I'm not liking is being able to see the front edge of the container, hopefully the plants will spread and grow and soften the look. 

I have had this rain chain for years, I ensure it is full of water everyday, we love to see the small birds swoop down for a drink, often seeing birds at different levels at the same time, it hangs in the magnolia tree.

This pot was purchased second hand with the intention of filling it with daisies, that did not work, so again we created another water spot for birds, the bigger birds often drink here, it's in the shade under the acer.

All of these features are along the same fence, it's the sunny side of the garden, along with a huge bird feeder full of sunflower hearts, behind our fence is our neighbours overgrown jungle, which is a perfect place for the birds to perch, swoop and retreat. Hubbies water barrel is nearest the house, we do like to see and hear the water splashing, the birds do not use this one very often. 

We do love to encourage birds into the garden, I have been watching them eat the bugs on my climbing rose, we have seen more bugs, bees as well, not many butterflies. We do feed the birds and ensure there is water all the year round, now is an important time as many have young in their nest, we just ensure if they come to our feeders there is always food, our neighbour puts out seeds but often her table is empty.

I don't cut plants back at the end of the season, for years I did, I was given a tip to purchase plants all year round and not just in the spring and summer months, this advice allows interest through out 12 months, I have earlier flowering plants to prolong the nectar season and have an open all year space. All these measures will help wildlife of all sizes thrive in our garden.

We have the time to sit and watch the wild visitors who visit our garden, Lilly will chase flies but nothing bigger, we do have mice in the back corner, I often see them as I am working, these we do not mind at all, we have not seen any recent rat activity, which is pleasing, the foxes who live in a nearby garden and visit next door, have left no trace of coming into our garden. 

We had rain last night, I am overjoyed, it's dull and cloudy with the risk of more rain today, I have everything crossed.