If you’re a gardener, chances are, you love wildlife too. You probably also understand how important much of that wildlife is when it comes to growing shrubs, flowers, trees and vegetables etc. But, to create the perfect unity between garden and wildlife, as the gardener, you have certain responsibilities to ensure wildlife is well looked after, especially during the winter, when the environment is toughest.
In this short article, we're giving you a few handy tips on how to make your garden a more welcoming and safe environment for all sorts of wildlife, including birds, small mammals, insects, and worms.
It’s easy to underestimate just how important your garden could be to birds, especially during winter when there’s less available food in the surrounding countryside or other parts of the urban landscape. And don’t forget the benefits these birds provide to a garden and the gardener, such as helping with pollination, weed control and pest control, whilst also creating a beautiful aesthetic and a serene garden environment.
So, whether it’s with bird feeders full of seeds, grains, millet, or cooked pasta or rice, and not forgetting fresh water, or by planting fruiting shrubs, in winter, make sure the birds in your garden always get the nourishment they rely on.
If you have a tree or several trees overhanging or near your garden, you’ll probably be aware of the hassle the fallen leaves can cause, especially to lawns, guttering, water butts, and waterways. But, when spread over flowerbeds in winter, these fallen leaves not only create a useful mulch for the soil but also provide a rich habitat for various birds, such as thrushes and blackbirds, as well as for frogs, invertebrates and insects.
Many of us have the urge in the autumn to strip beds and borders right back, leaving just clear soil ready for spring. But, before you start digging everything up, those old dry plant stems can be vital in the winter for certain insects. The insects in question will often crawl inside these dry plant stems to stay protected and warm through the winter, then emerge in the spring. Old plant stems are also the perfect structures for spiders to spin their webs.
Winter is the best time for a pond clear-out, due to it being the time when wildlife activity is at its lowest. But, remember, any unwanted vegetation you take out will contain wildlife, such as snails, dragonflies or frogs etc.
So, the best thing to do is carefully remove the vegetation with a net and lay it out somewhere safe (maybe on the lawn) for a couple of days to allow the wildlife to make its way out and find a new place to hide. And don’t forget – if your pond freezes over during the winter, it can restrict oxygen for any existing wildlife. So the best course of action is to crack it or melt it by placing a bowl of warm (not boiling) water on top.
If there’s been a heavy snowfall, some gardeners like to get the snow cleared as soon as possible, especially on paths or patios, where it might be unsafe, or prevent access to a garage, shed or other storage areas. But, remember a thick layer of snow on the soil helps prevent the soil from freezing, therefore protecting the worms and insects vital to keeping the soil healthy.
Looking after the wildlife in your garden doesn’t mean you have to let your garden grow wild. It simply means thinking carefully about the processes you carry out, and how each one might affect the animals and insects. This is particularly important when using certain chemicals, such as weedkillers or lawn feed etc., or when having bonfires or blocking up gaps under fences that hedgehogs may be using for access.
At Culverhouse Gardens, we will be happy to help you with you winter garden care. We offer winter gritting services, snow clearance, garden tidy ups and more. Get in touch which us to see how we can help you achive your garden goals.
Posted by Culverhouse Gardens
