Wildlife gardening jobs for December
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Published: Monday, 10 December 2018 at 7:49 am
Follow our guide to giving your garden wildlife a helping hand this month.
Save
- Share on facebook
- Share on twitter
- Share on pinterest
- Share on whatsapp
- Share on blogger
- Email to a friend
Most garden wildlife is hibernating this month, but there are some species that are out and about, particularly birds, small mammals such as mice and voles, and foxes.
Ad
There's plenty you can do in your garden to help wildlife now, from feeding the birds and keeping your bird bath topped up. Not doing certain jobs, such as removing leaf piles or turning your compost hep, will avoid disturbing any hibernating species. But you can also plan ahead for next year by planting bare-root trees and shrubs, and making nest boxes.
- What to plant in December
Browse our list of key wildlife gardening jobs for December, below.
Keep bird feeders topped up
Blue tit and great tit eating peanuts
Ensure bird feeders are cleaned regularly and filled with fat-rich food such as peanuts, suet products and sunflower hearts. The short days and cold nights mean that every calorie counts for garden birds – they use huge amounts of energy just staying warm at night.
Avoid turning compost
Hedgehog on compost pile
Avoid turning your compost bin or heap as it may be sheltering hibernating wildlife such as hedgehogs and other small mammals, as well as reptiles, amphibians and even bumblebees. Wait until April, when disturbance will be minimal.
Make a bee hotel
Making a bee hotel
Make a bee hotel for solitary bees, using an old wooden box filled with logs with holes drilled into them, bamboo canes and the stems of other hollow-stemmed plants such as teasel and sunflower. Hang in the sunniest part of the garden (late morning sun is ideal). Watch our video guide to making a bee hotel.
Keep bird baths topped up
Topping up a bird bath
Keep bird baths topped up regularly with water. By bathing, birds are able to regulate oils in their feathers, enabling them to control their temperature more efficiently. Discover how to make a bird bath.
Plant bare-root native shrubs for wildlife
Planting a bare-root tree
Ad
Plant native shrubs or trees such as hawthorn, holly, hazel, silver birch and guelder rose, which will provide a mix of flowers for pollinators, berries for birds and leaves for caterpillars (and therefore food for baby birds).
Loading...
Ad
Ad
Don't miss out this Winter
Enjoy expert advice on what to plant and grow this winter, and how to prepare your plot for the year ahead. Enjoy, 6 months for just £31.99
Great gardening savings - straight to your inbox
Sign up to the BBC Gardeners’ World offers newsletter for exclusive deals, seasonal savings, and early access to special promotions.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...
Loading...