A Wildlife Garden

Now is the time for tidying and preparing the garden for winter but don't be too tidy. If you want to attract wildlife to your garden let a corner or two go a bit wild. Leave seed heads on plants for the birds and pile some logs in a corner to encourage hedgehogs and insects. If you have a dry stone wall this is an excellent habitat for insects. I have a small dry stone wall at the bottom of my garden which is home to solitary bees.
Leave some leaf litter in your borders as this will provide cover for overwintering insects.
Bird feeders are a good way to help the birds survive winter and they give an immense amount of pleasure from watching the different varieties of birds they attract. Bird baths are a useful source of water, especially in very cold weather when the ponds freeze over. Put up bird boxes to attract nesting birds, making sure they are safely out of reach of the local cats.
Our gardens are increasingly becoming a haven for wildlife as natural habitats shrink and sometimes disappear altogether. Planting native trees and plants which will support a wider range of insect life, incorporating berry producing shrubs together with plants which attract bees and butterflies and ensuring your garden is a bird friendly area will make a huge difference. If you have room for a pond this will add another exciting dimension to your garden, attracting frogs and toads, water beetles and stunningly beautiful dragonflies. If you have very young children you may want to consider a wetland area which is a safer option but will still attract wildlife.