October Wildlife Gardening
Plants for Wildlife
In October, it’s important to provide food and shelter for wildlife as they prepare for winter. Plant winter-flowering shrubs like honeysuckle and wintersweet to provide nectar and pollen for bees. Spring bulbs like crocuses and irises are also great sources of food for early bees and birds.
Feeding Wildlife
Leave out windfall apples for butterflies and thrushes. Hedgehogs need extra food in autumn to build up fat reserves for hibernation. Provide kitten biscuits or meaty cat food, and remember to put out water for them.
Creating a Wildlife Habitat
Sweep leaves into piles to create shelter for hedgehogs, frogs, and insects. Collect deciduous leaves for leaf mould, which can be used as a soil amendment. You can also leave dead wood and stems standing to provide additional habitat.
Water Smart Gardening
With future droughts in mind, consider planting drought-tolerant perennials like sea holly and lavender. These plants will need less watering and can still provide food for wildlife.
Look Out for… Galls
Galls are growths on plants that are caused by insects or mites. They come in various shapes and sizes. While most galls don’t harm the plant, they provide food for birds in early spring.
Additional Tips:
- Plant new perennials in October to save water and increase their resilience to droughts.
- Avoid using pesticides, as they can harm wildlife.
- Keep bird feeders clean to prevent the spread of disease.
- Provide a variety of food and shelter sources to attract a wide range of wildlife to your garden.
