The meadows and hedgerows are humming with life and now is a great time to start getting to know some of our more common wildflowers. Next time you are out on a walk why not see how many of  the 6 wildflowers below you can spot along the way......

Some other common wildflowers that can be seen in June are as follows:

Birdsfoot trefoil
Common vetch
Ragged Robin
Ribwort plantain
Field Scabious 
Comfrey

If you are interested in developing your wildflower observation skills further this month we'd recommend having a look at the National Botanic Garden of Wales website which is full of information and further guidance on wildflowers that can be found in June. 

Happy searching :-)

The garden centres are opening again, Hooray!. If you are looking to grow some low maintenance edibles in your garden this month why not have a go at these quick and creative projects to get you started?...

You don't need a lot of space to grow some vibrant & nutritious summer salad and herbs for your kitchen. Today we'll introduce two easy peasy micro-gardening projects for you to try, perfect for the garden, patio or balcony ...
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This is a fun project and a great way to recycle some old plant pots. For this planter I have used 3 different sized pots, but you can add more. Stack the pots up and plant your favourite kitchen herbs to keep with in easy reach of your chopping board....

What you will need:

3-5 plant pots 
Compost
Herbs

I planted sage, parsley and mint from seed sown earlier on in the year, but now is a good time to sow directly. If you are sowing seed directly, sow thinly to allow the plants space to grow. 

Fill each pot 3/4 full with a peat free multipurpose compost and stack each one inside the next. When you are happy fill in the edges around each pot with more compost until they are all nice and snug. When you are ready plant them up and water in. (as they grow, some herbs will require more moisture than others)

As a suggestion other herbs you can try growing are marjoram, oregano, thyme, lemon balm & basil...I also popped in a few rebel nasturtiums in my planter to add some colour  :-) Enjoy !
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Calling all salad fans big and small!... this is a really fun micro planting project to get started with this month, with a germination time of around 2-12 days you'll be picking leaves in no time. For this salad box I have sown a 'Salad Bowl' seed mix which gives a good variety of red and green leaves, and it also looks great. Once your leaves are ready to harvest, pick from the outer leaves as this will ensure your salad keeps growing...I keep this salad box by my back door for quick and easy pickings...Salad can be sown up until July ....

What you will need:

An old wooden box or drawer
Compost
'Salad Bowl' Lettuce seed​

Before you start, if your container hasn't already got them you will need to drill some drainage holes into the bottom of your box. When you have made your drainage holes, fill your container with a peat free multipurpose compost. Before sowing make sure that the soil is moist. Take some seed and scatter thinly around the surface of the container, then cover the seed with a light layer of compost and press down gently. When you have finished, water the seeds in. Be careful not to let your containers dry out, especially in warm weather. I find it helpful to keep my containers by the door so I can keep an eye on them.....Happy salad planting :-)

We'd love to know how your projects go....If you'd like to share yours please email us with some pics ;-)

To create your wheel you will need:
A pen & paper
A compass or some round objects to draw around 
Paints and crayons, magazines and newspapers for collaging the centre & outside of your wheel 

Make the wheel personal to you. I find placing an image that expresses life for me now (it could describe your physical landscape or how you are feeling emotionally) in the centre helps to 'anchor' my wheel....But more than anything it should be enjoyable and about the imagery you are drawn to.....

I split the wheel into 4 weeks and fill each one fairly spontaneously as I go, but if you are really good with a protractor (which I am not!) or drawing free hand, you can even split the wheel up into daily segments.....

I hope you enjoy this activity. If you would like to share what observations you have made where you live during the month of May we would love to know, so do get in touch....

Best wishes :-) 

Build a safe home for your local bug and insect community, suitable for any sized garden, roof or balcony. Hideaways for small insects and bugs can be difficult to find in our gardens and outdoor areas, and one like this could provide an important shelter for ladybirds, beetles, woodlice, lacewings, solitary bees & bumblebees. This project requires very few resources, all you will need is:

An empty tin can
Dead, hollow stems cut from herbaceous plants and shrubs (for beetles, spiders & woodlice)
If you have any nearby, hollow  bamboo canes work really well too
Cardboard (for lacewings)
Dry leaves, grasses and straw (for ladybirds)
String (if you want to tie your new bug and insect home up.
Scissors and some secateurs if you have them.

Once you have foraged about for some suitable materials, start by cutting your sticks to size, you want to collect enough so that you can pack them tightly together inside the tin. If you want to add any cardboard, roll up some narrow pieces and wedge these in between the sticks. If you have any grass or old leaves you can also layer these in between the sticks and cardboard. You could also add a layer of moss, dry leaves or straw at the bottom of the can, these materials can all mimic the forest floor for your bugs and insects.

When you have finished making your bug and insect home find a quiet corner somewhere to hide it.
Enjoy!.