People who have sheds in their gardens are being urged to act now ahead of colder weather creeping in this winter. As the coolest season approaches, garden sheds can become far more than storage space, an expert has said.
It can actually become an important part of your garden’s eco-system by providing shelter and food for local wildlife over the harshest months of the year, and you should start now. 1st Choice Leisure Buildings founder Robin Antill has shared some simple ways to transform your shed into a winter wildlife haven, and how to get children involved too. To begin with, he recommends “making a mess”.
Robin explained: “Space beside or behind your shed can often be overlooked, but spots like this are the perfect place to create a ‘messy pile’ that is the ideal habitat for wildlife. Clear out any plastics or debris that could harm sheltering animals.
“With help of the kids, search for natural materials around the garden, or on a walk, that can be used to layer up; look for things like leaves, twigs, pinecones, moss, and bark. Use a mix of materials to provide spaces for a variety of wildlife, and keep it loose so air can circulate and prevent the pile from going mouldy.
“Keep your messy pile close to the shed so it can benefit from the shelter, without being too close that any damp will transfer to the walls and cause damage. Most importantly, remember not to disturb your messy pile until the spring!”
Your shed may also provide shelter for creatures such as hedgehogs and bats. Robin added: “In addition to the messy pile, your shed is also a good place to provide shelter for nocturnal animals like hedgehogs and bats.
“Children can help build and decorate your hedgehog and bat shelters, and record how many visitors they get. Cut a hole in the side of a study plastic box or a wooden crate that a hedgehog could fit through, and smooth the rough edges.
“Choose a spot next to your shed that is sheltered from the wind – next to your messy pile is ideal. Put some stones or paving slabs underneath to raise it slightly, so the bedding inside the box will stay dry, and fill your box with straw and dry leaves for your hibernating hedgehogs to sleep on.
Cover the top and sides of the box with more leaves, twigs, and moss that will keep it dry, and keep out the light. While hedgehogs want shelter at the base of your shed, bats prefer height.
“Mount a bat box securely at the top of your shed or on the roof, as high as possible but at least three metres above the ground. If possible, a south or south-east facing wall is best, so it will get the morning sun to keep the box warm.”
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