Brits have been warned that a range of wildlife will be hibernating in your garden over the cold winter months, and one particular gardening job could accidentally harm them
Gardening experts have issued an urgent warning to Brits amid the cold winter weather.
With fallen leaves, no signs of blooms, and patio furniture wrapped up – our gardens look pretty lifeless during this time of year. While you might like to stay indoors with a blanket and cup of hot chocolate, December is also when many species searching for some much-needed food in our back yards.
Birds will be on the hunt for food after the leftover berries and seeds from our trees and flowers have been gobbled up, while other animals will be on the lookout for a place to hibernate over the winter. Brits have therefore been encouraged to keep an eye out for birds and small mammals including mice, voles, and hedgehogs – and make sure they’re not accidentally harmed by our winter gardening jobs.
Experts over at Gardening’ World say feeding birds with fat-rich foods such as nuts and seeds, keeping your bird bath topped up with water, and leaving leaf piles are all great ways to help support wildlife through the icy conditions. You can also start planning for the year ahead by planting bare-root trees and shrubs, and making nest boxes for a mother bird to find.
“Plant native shrubs or trees such as hawthorn, holly, hazel, silver birch and guelder rose, which will provide a mix of flowers for pollinators, berries for birds and leaves for caterpillars (and therefore food for baby birds),” the experts added. While turning your compost is important – to help ensure all the ingredients get broken down – it might be worth waiting until the weather warms up.
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“Avoid turning your compost bin or heap as it may be sheltering hibernating wildlife such as hedgehogs and other small mammals, as well as reptiles, amphibians and even bumblebees,” the aces said. “Wait until April, when disturbance will be minimal.”
You can also make a bee hotel using an old wooden box filled with logs with holes in them. If you hang it in the sunniest spot in the garden, you’ll quickly see the pollinators buzzing around. You watch a tutorial on how to make a bee hotel here.
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