Winter Sanctuary: A Guide to Protecting Wildlife in Your Garden

As winter descends and temperatures drop, your garden becomes a critical haven for wildlife seeking refuge and sustenance. We understand the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment for the creatures that share our outdoor spaces. In this guide, discover practical tips on how to protect and support wildlife during the winter months.

Provide Shelter:

Create cosy nooks and shelters in your garden to shield wildlife from harsh winter weather. Consider installing bird boxes, bat boxes, and hedgehog houses.

These don't have to be complicated structures. Stephen says, 'Hedgehogs live under our outdoor seating, and my 9-year-old son built a bird box which is still in use by blue tits 5 years later.'

Leave Wild Corners:

Resist the urge to tidy up every corner of your garden. Leave wild and untamed areas where insects can hibernate, and small mammals can find refuge. It might be a bit messy, but keeping valuable insects through the winter is crucial. 

Offer Winter Food:

Birds and other wildlife struggle to find food during winter. Invest in quality bird feeders and provide a variety of seeds, nuts, and suet to sustain feathered friends. Yes, it's true—squirrels will take advantage of them, but they need the food, too! Make sure there's enough to go around. 

Provide Fresh Water:

Access to fresh water is crucial for wildlife survival during winter. Frozen water isn't much help to birds, either. Remember to melt the ice if you can. 

Avoid Chemicals:

Opt for wildlife-friendly gardening practices by avoiding the use of harmful chemicals. Chemical pesticides and herbicides can be detrimental to insects and other small creatures. 
It's hard to know what we bring into our garden through compost and potted plants. Minimise your use of plastic trays and labels. Where possible, use 100% degradable and plastic-free packaging. You can read more here. 

Consider Hibernating Habitats:

Many insects and small mammals hibernate during winter. Create spaces for them to rest undisturbed by leaving piles of leaves or logs in a quiet corner. Unfortunately, when you're using your log pile for a fire, it is precisely when small creatures are hibernating. Be aware that there might be some resting bugs that are not quite ready for the heat!

Plant Winter-Friendly Flora:

Choose plants that bloom during winter to provide nectar for pollinators like bees. Snowdrops, winter heather, and winter-flowering cherry trees are excellent choices. 

During winter, we tend not to use our outdoor spaces as much. It might not be picturesque, but make sure you give a bit of your garden to those who need it.