How to look after wildlife in your garden this winter
We might not spend a lot of time in our gardens over winter, but there are plenty of animals, birds and insects who do. The harsh weather brings challenges like snow and freezing temperatures, which makes food and shelter scarce, so winter is a crucial time to help the wildlife that shares our garden with us. We speak to Michael John McGarr, award-winning garden designer and ecology expert, about all the simple ways we can help these garden creatures survive through cold temperatures.
1. Leave seed heads to help birds — and enjoy its beautiful sight
Despite the changing season, don't be tempted to tidy up your garden too soon. 'Although it can be very tempting to chop back all of the dead flowers and foliage, it’s actually far better to leave all of the seedheads standing tall,' reveals Michael. 'Zinnias, cosmos, coneflowers, marigolds all create popular tasty treats for birds. Teasel seed heads are very popular with goldfinches but they do spread easily, so don’t plant them unless you have a large garden and specific wild area for them.'
Seedheads not only provide birds with nourishment but also contributes to the preservation of our delicate ecosystem. 'On top of that, seedheads delicately frosted with ice can be really quite beautiful,' adds Michael.
2. Hedgehogs are being pushed towards extinction — here's how to help
Hedgehog populations in Western Europe are being pushed towards extinction, having declined by around 30 per cent over the past decade. These spiny mammals are now listed as 'near threatened' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list.
'This is startling news, so if you do have hedgehogs in your neighbourhood, now is the time to protect their habitat and give them a helping hand through the winter,' says Michael. 'One of the key factors in helping to preserve the habitats of hedgehogs is to create gaps in fences so they can travel between gardens, as well as providing plenty of shelter.'
Hedgehogs traditionally hibernate from October through to March or April, but Michael says it really depends on the temperature and the weather. 'To encourage them to hibernate in your garden, you can create sheltered log piles, or even get a small purpose-built hedgehog house,' he suggests.
In terms of feeding hedgehogs, avoid bread and milk as this can harm them – the Wildlife Trust advises gardeners to leave out wet or dry dog or cat food. 'But remember, it’s quite difficult to stop other animals, such as local cats, or even rats, from eating this food as well,' says Michael. 'Hedgehogs eat all types of insects, so the more wildlife-friendly your garden is, the more of a feast you are creating for our prickly friends. They are a quintessential British garden sighting, so anything we can do to protect them is really important.'
3. Plant apples trees
Apple trees are particularly popular with blackbirds, crows, badgers and squirrels, as well as a variety of insects, including spiders, which live inside the crevices. Simply leave fallen apples on the ground to allow wildlife access to this nutritious food to help them build up energy reserves during winter.
'These sweet treats offer sustenance to birds, such as robins and blue jays, which rely on the energy-rich fruits to survive the winter,' says Michael. 'Small mammals, such as voles and shrews, also benefit from the fallen apples, as they provide essential nutrients and help build up fat reserves for the long winter ahead.'
4. Build dead hedges
For a cost-effective way to provide sanctuary and support for wildlife in your garden, build dead hedges. 'By using materials readily available from your routine garden maintenance, you can create a haven for a diverse array of animals and insects,' says Michael. 'To construct a dead hedge, gather any branches you prune from trees and shrubs, along with lighter twigs and leaves. These organic elements will serve as the foundation of your hedge.'
You should also gather long, straight sticks to act as sturdy supports. Insert these into the ground to act as an anchor point and begin weaving in shorter sticks and twigs throughout the structure.
'Dead hedges offer numerous benefits for wildlife: They provide essential shelter for small mammals such as hedgehogs, mice, and voles, who use the dense undergrowth to hide from predators and the elements, and many different types of insects will use it as a habitat,' explains Michael. 'Over time, your dead hedge will naturally decompose, enriching the soil and providing nutrients for plants and microorganisms. I really like the aesthetic of a rustic dead hedge within a garden design, one that will change shape over time as you add to it and decomposition occurs.'
5. Invite frogs and toads
If you or your neighbours have ponds, you might find that your garden is frequently visited by frogs and toads. 'These creatures are just as important as the more fluffy ones, and also enjoy eating slugs, which is hugely beneficial if you have a vegetable patch,' says Michael.
Don't have a wildlife pond? 'It doesn’t need to be a huge pond, but it is important to have plants and rocks around it for easy access,' explains Michael. 'And ensure there is adequate cover, which acts as both habitat and protection from predators. Both frogs and toads spend their time both in water and on land – although toads spend most of their time outside of the water. It’s also vitally important to avoid using pesticides and herbicides, as these can be harmful to amphibians.'
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