Think Before You Flush



Think Before You Flush (TBYF) is an award-winning initiative from Surfers Against Sewage which raises public awareness about the problem that sanitary products (known in the business as Sewage Related Debris or SRD) cause in the sewage system and subsequently the marine environment when flushed down the toilet. They have been running a campaign in the Cornish town of Porthleven and are aiming to replicate the campaign nationwide. If you would like to help them in their mission to keep our coastal waters clean then get in touch via their website http://www.sas.org.uk

Butterfly Numbers


          A Duke of Burgundy butterfly /  image copyright: Keith Warmington

Last year’s record-breaking spring helped some of the UK’s rarest butterflies recover following years of decline, a scientific study today revealed.
The hot, dry weather provided perfect conditions for early spring specialists enabling them to benefit from extended flight periods as they emerged weeks earlier than usual.
The threatened Duke of Burgundy bucked a trend of recent declines as its population rose by 65% between 2010 and 2011.
Other rare spring butterflies prospered – the Grizzled Skipper recorded a rise of 96% and the scarce Pearl-bordered Fritillary saw numbers jump by 103%.
But despite last year’s much-needed respite, many of our most threatened butterflies remain in a state of long-term decline and need further targeted conservation work to turn their fortunes around permanently.
Common garden species such as the Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue all recorded major population falls as the dry spring gave way to the coldest summer for 18 years.
Summer-flying woodland specialists also struggled. The White Admiral recorded a 51% fall and the threatened Black Hairstreak, which recorded a substantial increase between 2009 and 2010, declined last year.

If you would like to get involved in helping Britain's butterflies and moths visit;

Fracking for Gas

I don't know much about fracking for gas, but it sounds like trying to get the last bit of shampoo out the bottle or scraping the tub for the last bits of butter. It is a controversial process where I think they pump water into rocks to extract gas, but this pressure can create the odd earthquake or two. They had to stop 'fracking' off the coast of Blackpool in North West England after it resulted in two mini earth tremors. So at this point all I can suggest if you don't know much about this subject, like me, is to start at the beginning... the Wiki page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing

Alpine Plants in a Raised Border

These spreading Alpines are already in full flower and it's just mid April. This garden has a great stone wall perimeter that has been built to there is space for a raised border in the middle, resulting in a garden wall being a riot of colour. It's a good idea for people with mobility problems. It also means plants are not so hidden. If these were planted in a garden border behind a single wall, they would get less sun, and the wall would be so much duller. Also it means border plants can give a bit more privacy, as if you planted, for example, red hot pokers in the raised border, it would give the house some added privacy rather than them being on ground level behind a single wall.
Buy Alpine plants here







Tulips

Tulips are great at this time of year. They are at their peak, but unfortunately don't last long. Their effect is multiplied when they are planted in colour blocs of the same type of bulb, like these below.

Buy Tulips here





Bluebells

Bluebells are all over the place at the moment!

How to Keep a Cactus Happy!

Tom Hart Dyke runs the World Map Garden at his family home, Lullingstone Castle. They have a great Cactus house with some fine Cacti, that are found in nature across the world's desert regions. They all are in great hands, and look in very good condition. If you have a few cacti on your windowsill, conservatory or greenhouse Tom has some great advice to keep them healthy, especially if you live in hard water regions. Video below and if you are looking for a great day out why not plan a visit to the garden in Kent. It's a horticultural feast for any gardening fan. www.lullingstonecastle.co.uk