Cooler temperatures, darker evenings, falling leaves, Autumn is fast approaching! There are a number of things that we can do to provide food and shelter for wildlife, now and in preparation for next year.
Resist the temptation to clear up your garden; allow vegetation to die back naturally and leave seedheads, especially on plants such as teasels, thistles and sunflowers. This provides food and shelter for birds through the coldest months.
Don’t totally cut back your perennial plants but trim them instead and leave plenty of foliage at or near ground level for insects and birds. Piling up leaves and other vegetation to create an open compost heap could provide the perfect hibernation spot too.
Clean all your bird feeders to avoid the spread of disease to winter migrants and put up a nest box well in advance of breeding season. A nest box could also prove a cosy spot for small birds to spend the night on particularly cold winter evenings ahead.
For early spring 2022 flowers, plant Alliums, daffodils, tulips, grape hyacinth, crocus, snakes head fritillary, and bluebells this Autumn. Other wildflowers seeds which can all be sown now include: cowslip, chamomile, common knapweed, betony or meadow buttercup. Alternatively, you can buy a wildflower mix which includes all of these.