Garden Friends : Plants, animals and wildlife that are good for your Garden

Make some garden friends - an array of plants, animals, insects, birds and other wildlife that will help you maintain a happy, healthy outdoor space. Practical advice on which garden friends to encourage - from slug-munching toads to aphid-repelling marigolds - and the small changes needed to your garden to keep them there. Whether you want to experiment with companion planting, pest control or simply need some plants to do the work for you, gardening in harmony with nature has never been easier. Get the best out of your outside space by calling on your garden 'friends'. Introducing helpful wildlife into your garden will help to control pests, maintain a natural chemical-free balance and encourage your garden to bloom, whether you have a large garden, an allotment or a simple window box. Some plants are great 'friends' and are endlessly useful - sweetpeas are good for regenerating tired soil, for example, while marigolds repel pesky greenfly away from your prized cabbages. Birds and other animals such as hedgehogs, bats and frogs are also renowned pest-munchers, while bees, butterflies and other insects will happily pollinate your flowers, fruit and vegetables. Encouraging just a few of these 'friends' into your garden will soon ensure your prized plants are blooming. This practical guide describes all of the wonderful wildlife that is helpful to have in your garden and how to spot them. Packed with hints and tips on how to encourage the critters into your space and make sure they stick around, this guide is a must-have for any gardener.

Ed Ikin is the Head Gardener at Nymans, the National Trust garden. He is one of their most innovative and energetic gardeners. He is passionate about gardening with nature and was a contributor to the bestselling Gardening Secrets.