We may not spend much time in our gardens in the winter, but there are plenty of animals, birds and insects that do. The harsh weather brings challenges such as snow and freezing temperatures, making food and shelter scarce. Therefore, winter is a crucial time to help the wildlife that shares our garden with us. We talk to Michael John McGarr, award-winning garden designer and ecology expert, about the simple ways we can help these garden dwellers survive in cold temperatures.
1. Leave seed heads behind to help birds – and enjoy the beautiful sight
Despite the changing season, don't be tempted to tidy up your garden too early. “Although it can be very tempting to cut back all the dead flowers and leaves, it is actually far better to leave all the seed heads upright,” reveals Michael. “Zinnias, cosmos, coneflowers and marigolds are popular treats for birds.” Teasel seed heads are very popular with goldfinches, but they spread easily. So don't plant them unless you have a large garden and a special wild area for them.
Seed heads not only provide birds with food, but also help maintain our delicate ecosystem. “Furthermore, delicate ice-coated seed heads can be really quite beautiful,” adds Michael.
2. Hedgehogs are facing extinction – here's how you can help
Hedgehog populations in Western Europe are at risk of extinction after declining by around 30 percent over the last decade. These spiny mammals are now listed as “near threatened” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.
“This is shocking news. “So if you have hedgehogs in your neighborhood, now is the time to protect their habitat and help them through the winter,” says Michael. “One of the key factors in maintaining hedgehog habitats is creating gaps in fences to allow them to move between gardens while providing adequate protection.”
Hedgehogs traditionally hibernate from October to March or April, but Michael says it really depends on the temperature and weather. “To encourage them to hibernate in your garden, you can create sheltered wood piles or even build a small, purpose-built hedgehog house,” he suggests.
When feeding hedgehogs, avoid bread and milk as these can harm them – the Wildlife Trust advises gardeners to avoid wet or dry dog or cat food. “But remember, it is quite difficult to stop other animals, such as domestic cats or even rats, from eating this food too,” says Michael. “Hedgehogs eat all kinds of insects. The more wildlife-friendly your garden is, the greater the celebration for our prickly friends. “They are one of those quintessentially British garden objects, so anything we can do to protect them is really important.”
3. Plant apple trees
Apple trees are particularly popular with blackbirds, crows, badgers and squirrels, as well as a variety of insects, including spiders, that live in the crevices. Simply leave fallen apples on the ground so that wild animals have access to this nutritious food and can build up energy reserves in the winter.
“These sweet treats provide food for birds like robins and blue jays, who 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 important nutrients and help build up fat reserves for the long winter.”
4. Build dead hedges
To provide shelter and support to wildlife in your garden in a cost-effective way, build deadhead hedges. “By using materials you can easily find in routine garden maintenance, you can create a haven for a variety of animals and insects,” says Michael. “To build a dead hedge, collect any branches you prune from trees and shrubs, as well as lighter-colored twigs and leaves. These organic elements serve as the foundation for your hedge.
You should also collect long, straight sticks to serve as sturdy supports. Stick this into the ground as an anchor point and begin weaving shorter sticks and branches into the structure.
“Dead hedgerows provide numerous benefits for wildlife: they provide important shelter for small mammals such as hedgehogs, mice and voles, which use the dense undergrowth to hide from predators and the elements, and many different species of insects use it as 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, a hedge whose shape changes over time , if you grow them and let them rot.”
5. Invite frogs and toads
If you or your neighbors have ponds, your yard may be frequently visited by frogs and toads. “These animals are just as important as the fluffier animals and also like to eat slugs, which is hugely beneficial if you have a vegetable patch,” says Michael.
Don't have a wildlife pond? “It doesn’t have to be a huge pond, but it’s important to have plants and stones around it so it’s easy to access,” explains Michael. “And make sure there is adequate shelter that serves as both habitat and protection from predators.” Both frogs and toads spend their time in both water and on land – although toads spend most of their time out of water . It is also crucial to avoid the use of pesticides and herbicides, as these can be harmful to amphibians.”
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Olivia Heath is the daily editor at House Beautiful. As head of all things digital, Olivia loves nothing more than discovering tomorrow's biggest design trends and sharing the best decorating tips, home solutions for small spaces, and houseplant care and gardening advice.
Week after week, Olivia rounds up the most stylish homeware buys on the high street to help you get the look for less, showcasing the best makeovers and the hottest and most unique properties on the market. She also loves covering some of the biggest events on the calendar, including all the action from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, color of the year predictions from Pantone to Dulux and exclusive previews of all the new Christmas collections before they hit stores.
Olivia has been writing about homes and interiors for seven years, and her work has also appeared on House Beautiful US, Elle Decor US, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Red, Prima, Town & Country, Elle Japan, Modern Living and Micasa Revista.
Before joining House Beautiful, Olivia worked at Reveal Magazine, where she covered celebrity and entertainment news by day and attended showbiz parties and red carpet events by night!
Olivia has an MA in Journalism with an NCTJ degree and a BA in Journalism and Media and Cultural Studies.