support Autumn Biodiversity

If you have a garden, here are some simple things you can do to support nature in Autumn…

Start putting out bird feeders
This will help birds start preparing for the cold months ahead…

Leave leaf litter in place
Leaf litter, comprising fallen leaves, bark and twigs accumulates beneath shrubs and trees during the autumn months. Plant litter performs a number of important biodiversity functions:

• Provides a home for many small and diverse creatures such as worms, and insects. These creatures are important food sources for birds such as wrens, robins, thrushes and blackbirds who rummage in the undergrowth.
• Provides an ideal place for growing wildflowers
• Plays a key role in returning nutrients to the soil and maintaining soil structure as it decomposes.

For these reasons it is important not to disturb fallen litter and to leave it in place where possible. Also, leave some piles of leaves in your garden for hibernating frogs.

What to plant?

Bulbs – for flowers

In Autumn, there is a wide variety of bulbs that can be planted now for blooming in Spring. The following is a small list of some available…

Anemone (wind flower)
Crocus
Galanthus (Snowdrop)
Hyacinth
Iris
Narcissus (daffodil)
Scillia (bluebell)
Tulip

Berry-bearing shrubs – rowan, elder, hawthorn etc. – these provide food for birds.

If you grow sunflowers, leave the withered heads in place so that birds can eat the seeds.