Louise advises: “It can often feel like there’s too many jobs to complete around the garden, but the good news is that less ‘tidying up’ ahead of winter can really benefit birds and other wildlife.
“For instance, if you leave dead seedheads on flowers [especially native plants such as coneflower and black-eyed Susan], rather than removing, the seeds of plants like teasels can be a brilliant food source for finches who love to pick them out with their beaks.
“Elsewhere, don’t worry about clearing away fallen autumn leaves, and instead gather them up underneath bushes and trees. They form a protective barrier against frost and support good habitat for insects which in turn are an important part of many bird species’ winter diets.”
Note: This article was originally published by Country Living UK. The birds, plants, and some references mentioned here have been edited for a North American audience.
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