Gardening expert Monty Don is advising Britons to delay clearing fallen leaves this autumn, saying that allowing foliage to remain under trees and shrubs offers critical seasonal protection for hedgehogs, a species classified as near threatened globally.
In his seasonal blog, Don stressed the role leaf piles play for hedgehogs, noting that leaves provide essential winter shelter not only for the small mammals but also for frogs, insects and other diminutive wildlife. He acknowledged that while it is natural to want to clear away excess leaves for a neat garden, gardeners should consider leaving undisturbed piles beneath trees and shrubs, where they tend to gather naturally.
Hedgehog population decline
Hedgehogs are officially listed as "near threatened" globally on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List and are classified as vulnerable in Britain following a population decline of at least 30% to 75% in recent decades.
Numbers have dropped dramatically from an estimated 30 million in the 1950s to roughly 500,000 to 879,000 surviving today. Rural populations have crashed by up to 50% to 75% due to habitat loss, while urban and suburban garden populations have held up somewhat better thanks to support from people.
How to manage leaves responsibly
To maintain a garden responsibly, Don suggests collecting fallen leaves from lawns and pathways, running the mower over them to break them up, and piling them in open heaps to create leaf mould. This produces a valuable soil conditioner that can be returned to nourish the garden.
For those wishing to assist garden wildlife further, additional measures include constructing log piles and heaps of prunings to provide shelter for tiny creatures. A tidy stack towards the rear of a border or concealed behind a shed works well and does not get in the way.
Building a hedgehog house
For a more lasting solution, BBC Gardeners' World recommends building a hedgehog house using untreated exterior plywood or salvaged timber. Such a structure keeps hedgehogs protected and beyond the reach of larger predators such as cats and dogs.
