Top Ten autumn gardening tips to boost wildlife from the RSPB

2:20pm Friday 28th September 2007

Here are ten great tips from the RSPB to boost wildlife in your garden this autumn:

1. Wait until Jan/Feb to cut-back summer growth in hedges. This protects late nesting birds and encourages good insects like ladybirds.

2. Leave some grass at the foot of hedges and shrubs to prevent wind damage to plant stems and roots over winter. It also creates over-wintering space for insects.

3. When tidying up, leave a few seed heads for birds to feed on.

4. Plant herbaceous perennials ready for next year but protect them from slugs and snails using barriers or natural controls such as nematode worms.

5. Plan and create next year's containers of plants to attract nectar-loving insects. Doing this now gives the plants a chance to establish before winter.

6. Add insect boxes and twig bundles to create homes where solitary bees and other beneficial bugs can survive the cold months.

7. Try to find a suitable spot to install a bat box. They will help control flying pests.

8. Leave some dead wood in your garden or create a log-pile to attract beneficial insects such as earwigs, which feed on dead plants and other insects such as aphids.

9. Put a birdbath in your garden and keep it clean. Birds need access to clean water. An old dish or even an upturned dustbin lid would be fine.

10. Make or purchase a fat ball to feed garden birds. These hi-energy snacks can give birds the protection and strength they need to survive harsh winters.

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