9 Ways to Make Your Garden Wildlife Friendly This Winter

Wildlife plays a major part in keeping gardens balanced. Birds, insects and other creatures pollinate plants, reduce pest numbers and help to create a vibrant outdoor space. In return, our gardens offer food and shelter, which become especially important once winter arrives and natural resources grow scarce. Here are nine simple ways to support wildlife through the colder months.

1. Leave some perennials standing

Avoid cutting back every perennial in autumn. Hollow stems offer shelter for insects and other small creatures, so leave a few plants in place until spring.

2. Rake leaves by hand

Leaf blowers contribute to noise and air pollution and may disturb insect habitats. Hand-raking is much gentler. Leaving leaves where they fall can enrich the soil and provide useful cover for hedgehogs and insects, yet too many leaves can invite slugs. A good compromise is to clear areas with delicate plants and allow leaves to remain under shrubs and hardier plants.

3. Provide winter shelter for amphibians

A small log pile or an area of long grass near a pond gives frogs and newts a safe place to hide. If your pond freezes, sweep away snow so that light can reach the water and plants can continue photosynthesising, which helps maintain oxygen levels.

4. Keep bird feeders topped up

Birds burn a great deal of energy in winter. Offer sunflower hearts or suet treats and refill feeders often so they can rely on your garden as a regular food source.

5. Ensure access to clean water

Birdbaths are just as important as feeders. Keep them filled and break any ice so birds can drink and clean their feathers, which is vital for insulation.

6. Plant berry-producing trees and shrubs

Holly, hawthorn and crab apple provide food for birds through the colder months and bring rich winter colour to the garden.

7. Leave ivy until spring

Established ivy offers evergreen cover that shelters birds and insects. Its berries are a valuable food source in winter. Once warmer weather returns you can trim it back to keep it under control.

8. Choose flowers that support winter pollinators

Hellebores, winter heather, mahonia, primroses and crocuses offer nectar when little else is available and help early pollinators stay active.

9. Mulch beds to build healthy soil

Spread a deep layer of compost or well-rotted manure over your beds. Worms and other soil life will draw it down, improving soil structure and supporting a thriving garden ecosystem.

If you want to give wildlife a helping hand this winter, visit our centre. We stock bird feeders, winter plants and plenty of items to help you create a welcoming space for garden creatures.