It might seem as though there’s not much going on in the garden right now, but this is the perfect time to make plans and put in the groundwork for a spectacular season next year. And, of course, not everything has gone to sleep – wildlife needs a helping hand and plants require protecting, so wrap up warm and see what’s going on out there. Here, Natasha Goodfellow highlights the top 10 things you can do now that will really make a difference later…
1 MAKE YOUR OWN LEAF MOULD
Raking fallen leaves might feel like a bit of a chore, but doing it now could pay dividends in the future. Making your own leaf mould produces a great conditioner that can be used to improve the structure of your soil. Simply place gathered leaves into a hessian sack or black bag with holes in, and moisten if they’re dry. Leave to rot down out of sight for two years, after which time you can dig the compost-like material in when preparing beds or add it to the soil’s surface as a mulch. Oak, beech and hornbeam leaves break down with little assistance, while sycamore and plane leaves are better shredded first.
2 WELCOME WILDLIFE
The bees and butterflies may no longer be visiting, but gardens are still vital for a wide variety of wildlife in winter. The best thing you can do to help is to avoid being too tidy. Leave some flowerheads or grasses standing, let the lawn grow shaggy and build log piles where insects and small mammals can forage and seek refuge. ‘This time of year is all about being strategic and thoughtful with your materials,’ says Benny Hawksbee of ecologically focused Hawksbee Gardening. ‘Try to keep any cuttings or clippings in the garden and use them in different ways.’
Standing stems add interest and structure to the garden and will also provide food for birds and habitats for insects such as spiders. ‘I love seeing the common garden spider with its distinctive white cross on its abdomen in its web on a dewy morning,’ says Benny. Lacewings and ladybirds like to overwinter in leaf litter or brash piles (the twigs and stems left over from cutting back woody plants and tree thinning). Benny recommends using these stems to build a stack in a sunny spot. ‘Lay them horizontally, with the cut ends facing outwards, and you’ll be creating an opportunity for next year’s stem-nesting insects such as mason bees and wool carder bees to lay their eggs there,’ he says. Other plant clippings can be added to the compost – itself a great habitat and food source for creatures including worms, insects and toads.
Birds have to search much harder for food in winter, so make it easier for them by providing high-fat snacks such as peanuts, sunflower seeds and suet balls. Leave out fresh water too, especially if the temperature drops below zero.
3 DIVIDE PERENNIALS
November – before the soil gets too
