As winter temperatures drop across Britain, Monty Don has shared simple advice on how gardeners can help hedgehogs survive the cold season: leave fallen leaves in place to create leafmould and provide essential winter cover.
In guidance published on his personal gardening blog, the Gardeners' World presenter outlined how to offer hedgehogs 'essential winter protection' as the mercury falls. The solution lies in the fallen leaves scattered across gardens, which Don has called 'garden gold'.
Why leaves matter for hedgehogs
Don, whose own garden Longmeadow is in Ivington, Herefordshire, described himself as 'obsessive' about using fallen leaves to create leafmould. He explained: "Every fallen leaf is potential leafmould and leafmould which, unlike compost, takes no turning, mixing or knowledge to make, is garden gold."
He continued: "So I am obsessive about making leafmould, gathering as many of the fallen leaves as possible, mowing them to chop them up and then stacking them in a big open heap so they can break down into a lovely rich, crumbly texture and become an essential component of our home-made potting compost."
Providing winter cover for wildlife
Beyond making leafmould, Don leaves drifts and piles of leaves under hedges and trees to provide over-wintering cover for hedgehogs, frogs, small mammals and insects, along with stacks of logs and piles of prunings, which he said gives "essential winter protection for these small creatures that contribute so much to the garden's health".
For those without suitable storage space, Don suggested arranging an alternative early in the month, before the depths of winter arrive. "A simple bay made from four posts and chicken wire is ideal," he said.
Additional food placed in a protected and secure location, such as specialist commercial hedgehog food, meaty tinned cat or dog food, or cat biscuits, alongside fresh water replaced daily, will also prove invaluable to these creatures as they prepare for the British winter.
