Late Autumn and the onset of Winter will trigger a notable change to the abundance, behaviour and physical state of life within our gardens. With both animal and plant life becoming very different to how it was during the warmer, longer days of Spring and Summer.

Because this is the time of year when the lush growth of plants and frenetic life of animals during the warmer months abates, as they prepare to face the potentially lethal weather and sub-zero temperatures of winter.

So, as we see the annual plants come to the end of their lives, and the perennials, shrubs and trees put theirs on hold, much of the animal life from the natural world and in our gardens too, will move into a state of dormancy or hibernation. Often amongst the fallen leaves from deciduous trees, which we should if possible, leave undisturbed on bare soil and around the base of shrubs and trees until spring.

However, it’s worth remembering that particularly within our gardens, there’ll also be many animal species that don’t become dormant or hibernate during winter.

And that these animals, which primarily will be birds, can often struggle to survive through the winter months when food and shelter are scarce.

So, what could we do to help them survive within our gardens?

Well, it simply involves providing them with a regular supply of suitable food and fresh water.

Also, by ensuring there are safe locations where they can shelter from harsh weather, perhaps by leaving as much vegetation uncut as possible.

It’s important to remember too, that around the garden there could also be certain invertebrates that won’t hibernate, such as the woodlice that cluster together under plant pots or amongst the wood piles, and even Buff-tailed bumblebees that can sometimes still maintain an active colony through winter, nesting within a warm location such as a compost heap.

Leaving these sheltered locations undisturbed would help these winter-active creatures to remain safe from predation and frosts. Also, by growing some winter-flowering plants in our gardens, there’ll be a supply of nectar throughout the cold weather for any bees that might be out foraging.

And we shouldn’t forget the vast amount of life that’ll still be active within the soil during winter too, feeding on dead organic matter, breaking it down and recycling its nutrients for the benefit of the plants. A diverse community of invertebrates and microbes that can be enriched by applying autumnal and winter organic mulches to the garden borders, beds and around the base of plants.

Then hopefully, if we try to help the life that inhabits our gardens during the winter months, we’ll find that its vigour, vitality and diversity will be greatly enhanced during the new growing seasons.