How does your virtual garden grow? (From Gazette & Herald)

How does your virtual garden grow?

The green-fingered are being encouraged to follow the example of a virtual garden to attract wildlife to towns and cities.

English Nature has planted the online garden on its website to show how gardeners can make their gardens wildlife-friendly by making small changes, such as avoiding pesticides, using peat-free compost, or introducing key species of plants.

The organisation is also launching a CD this month, which will include photographs and more gardening tips.

English Nature's North Yorkshire area manager, Peter Welsh, said: "With interest in gardening at an all-time high, the virtual tour and CD should prove to be fascinating and useful tools for gardeners across the county.

"They show how we can all contribute towards safeguarding wildlife in our local neighbourhoods and, with spring upon us, it's a great time to get started."

You can potter around the virtual garden at www.english-nature.org.uk. The CD will be priced £9.99. Call (01273) 476151 for details.

Updated: 11:55 Wednesday, April 07, 2004