ØAdd dragonfly larvae, or nymphs, to your pond. They are voracious predators of mosquito larvae, and while mosquito larvae stay in that stage for only a few days, dragonfly nymphs stay in larval stage for up to two years, and can prey on many generations of mosquito larvae. And, when they become adults, dragonfly feeds on adult mosquitoes too.

ØInvite toads into your yard. One toad can consume up to 100 mosquitoes and slugs per night. They lay their eggs in water, so pond will attract them. If happy with its environment, a toad can grace your garden for up to 20 years. And tadpoles will eat mosquito larvae also.

ØAs an overall precaution, get a propane powered mosquito trap, such as Mosquito Magnet, to reduce mosquito population in your garden area. These are most effective mosquito killers around, and they will capture (and kill) mosquitoes that your natural controls miss.

With growing concern about mosquito diseases, like West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue fever, it is natural to feel reluctance to add any water source around your home. With right precautions, you can beautify your garden and still feel secure that you are not inviting mosquitoes into your immediate environment.

If water gardening appeals to you, just educate yourself, take needed precautions, and get ready to enjoy beauty and serenity a water feature adds to your home.

Just as we should have made everything neat and trim for summer, so during next few weeks everything should be made neat and tidy for winter. All dead leaves, stems, etc., should be cleared away, and stakes taken up and stored except where plants still need them.

If our gardens were only made and planted in spring, our hardy plants will not need dividing. But if they have been around two or three seasons then probably some of them will be better divided. We divide clumps that have grown to a large size because if they throw up too many flowering stems, they will not be well nourished or produce a fine blossom and towards center plant will grow poorly.

We should remember that it is good for future welfare of a plant to replant it in a different spot from where it has been. If we do not need all pieces we can make of a divided plant, we should replant strong or outer portions.