As the crisp autumn air settles across Britain, many gardeners are reaching for their rakes and shears, eager to spruce up their outdoor spaces before winter's chill sets in. However, a leading garden expert is urging a change in approach, highlighting an 'important' reason to resist the urge to over-tidy.
The Wildlife-Friendly Garden Tidy-Up
David Denyer, a flower and garden expert with over 35 years of experience at Eflorist, is championing a more mindful method for the seasonal clean-up. He stresses that while an autumn tidy is crucial for plant health, a pristine garden can be detrimental to local ecosystems.
"It's tempting to clear everything away once autumn arrives, but a perfectly tidy garden isn't always the healthiest for nature," David explained. He points out that elements often seen as messy – fallen leaves, hollow stems, and spent seed heads – are vital lifelines for wildlife seeking food and shelter during the colder months.
What to Leave for Nature's Sake
Denyer's key advice is simple: leave at least one quiet corner of your garden untouched until spring. This deliberate act of non-tidying creates a sanctuary for a host of creatures.
Piles of leaves gathered beneath shrubs and hedges offer a safe haven for hedgehogs and countless insects. Hollow plant stems and pieces of dead wood provide essential overwintering sites for solitary bees. Furthermore, seed heads from flowers like sunflowers and coneflowers, though they may appear untidy, serve as a valuable food source for birds throughout autumn and winter.
Practical Steps for a Balanced Approach
So, how can you tidy effectively without evicting your garden's residents? David suggests a targeted strategy. Focus on clearing leaves from lawns and pathways to prevent slips and maintain tidiness, but then relocate them to your flower borders or under hedges. Here, they act as a natural mulch, insulating plant roots, feeding the soil, and providing cover for insects.
When it comes to cutting back perennials, delay this task until late winter or early spring. Many beneficial insects hibernate within the old stems, and removing them in autumn destroys their shelter. When you do eventually cut them back, stack the stems neatly in a sheltered spot to continue offering protection.
Even garden waste can be repurposed. Instead of bagging everything for council collection, create piles of leaves and twigs in a quiet corner. If you compost, always check the heap before turning it, as it can become a hibernation spot for hedgehogs, frogs, and worms.
"Even small actions can make a big difference," David added. Leaving out a shallow dish of fresh water, piling up old branches, or placing empty pots on their sides can all create crucial safe spaces. Embracing a slightly less than perfect garden this season is a small price to pay for ensuring nature in your backyard survives the winter.
