As weather conditions become cooler and autumn sets in, life can get tricky for some of the UK’s wildlife – expert Monty Don has a handy tip to help vulnerable creatures in our gardens
Once the warmth of summer subsides, the nights draw in and lush vegetation dies back, things can get tough for our wildlife.
Autumn brings challenging conditions, with food sources being limited and natural habitats for shelter and nourishment becoming sparse as the leaves fall from the trees and the natural landscape becomes bare.
Green fingered types will be busy outside pruning and tidying up their beloved gardens at this time of year in preparation for winter, but TV horticulturist and writer Monty Don has a quick and handy hack that you can use at the same time to help the creatures who are struggling.
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October brings with it a kaleidoscope of colours as leaves turn red, orange and yellow and fall to the floor creating a soft blanket. While it is tempting to clear them away with a leaf blower or broom, Monty urges gardeners to stop because they can provide a welcome retreat for wildlife which helps them survive the colder seasons.
On his tips and advice blog, the presenter shares a breakdown of what jobs need doing month by month throughout the year. In an entry for October he suggests a hack that will not only help your garden look neater but gives back to nature too.
He suggests leaving them where they are or if you aren’t happy to do that, collect the fallen leaves to provide a cosy sanctuary for wildlife such as hedgehogs to seek cover in as the weather gets colder and they search for places of warmth.
“Leave drifts and piles of leaves under hedges and trees to provide over-wintering cover for hedgehogs, frogs, small mammals and insects, along with stacks of logs and piles of prunings – all of which gives essential winter protection for these small creatures that contribute so much to the garden’s health,” he writes.
He also says if you don’t have anywhere to store the leaves, you could make a bay out of some posts and chicken wire which will provide a suitable space. It’s best to sort this out at the beginning of the month so you are fully prepared and can pop them in as they fall.
It’s important to note that as Guy Fawkes Night approaches, care should be taken to properly check any piles of wood before lighting a bonfire. Hedgehogs in particular may be hiding underneath for warmth in their search for shelter and somewhere to hibernate. They can suffer severe burns or worse if they are not protected.
The Woodland Trust suggests another way to help insects which are crucial to the eco system like bees, insects and spiders, is by making a bug hotel. It’s easy to find material for the construction at this time of year with things like leaves, dried twigs, bark and pine cones.
They don’t need to be complicated or five-star, just a heap of logs or branches will do. Pile them up in a damp, shady area of your garden, then stuff some dead leaves in the nooks and crannies to make it cosy and appealing.
Birds need our help too as the temperatures plummet and they use a lot of energy keeping warm. With food scarce and difficult to find, you can put out nuts, seeds and other energy-rich food. If water sources have frozen over, bird baths can be a lifeline. Be sure to pop a small ball in too to stop yours forming ice.