Photo by Žanas Stundys on Unsplash
As the days grow shorter, many garden visitors start preparing for the colder months ahead. Hedgehogs, birds, frogs, and insects all rely on gardens for food and shelter, so this is the perfect time to make a few simple changes that will help local wildlife thrive through autumn and beyond
Leave some leaves
While it’s tempting to tidy every corner of the garden, a neat lawn isn’t always the best for nature. Piles of fallen leaves provide essential shelter for insects and hedgehogs. Try raking leaves into quiet corners, under hedges, or behind sheds rather than bagging them up. They’ll also break down over time and enrich your soil.
Keep feeding the birds
As natural food sources become scarce, birds will rely more on garden feeders. Stock up on high-energy foods such as sunflower hearts, fat balls, and peanuts to help them build reserves for winter. Don’t forget to provide fresh water too, birds need it for both drinking and cleaning their feathers, even in cold weather.
Create a cosy home for hedgehogs
Hedgehogs start looking for safe spots to hibernate in late autumn. You can help by leaving a log pile, compost heap, or dedicated hedgehog house in a sheltered part of your garden.
Save your seed heads
It’s best to resist cutting back all your plants. Many perennials, such as echinacea, rudbeckia, and teasels, produce seed heads that are an excellent winter food source for finches and sparrows.
Make a pond-friendly zone
If you have a pond, give it a quick clean but don’t remove all the vegetation. Frogs and newts may use it as a refuge during winter, and many insects will seek shelter there too. Add a gentle slope or ramp so animals can climb out if the water level changes.
Build a bug hotel
A simple bug hotel made from old wood, bamboo canes, pinecones, and straw can provide a safe haven for silverfish, ladybirds, and beetles. These insects play a vital role in pollination and pest control, so encouraging them now will help your garden flourish next spring. If you’re not able to build your own bug hotel, check out these ready-made ones.
