We are just a few weeks away from winter, but, in the last few weeks of Autumn, there are still a few things that we can do in the garden.
There are still tasks that we can do in the garden during November, and here, we are going to look at the things that you can do in the garden this November.
Autumn Leaves and Twigs
Autumn leaves and twigs are abundant at this time of year.
While it's easy to think that dead leaves and twigs are 'useless,' everything in nature has a purpose and is important.
Dead leaves are good for enriching the soil and lawn in your garden, and they also give insects and small animals a place to hibernate, this can include animals from spiders to ladybirds and to frogs, leafs help give these animals and more a place to shelter during the winter months.
So, it's beneficial to leave your Autumn leaves in the garden, you could also gather leaves and put them in a corner, or under some hedges or trees to give small animals a place to shelter and hibernate during the winter months.
Likewise, twigs are also essential for wildlife - particularly birds. Saving twigs will help give birds the materials that they need to build their nests, leaving twigs in your garden will help wildlife like birds have the tools that they need to create shelter.
Putting Up Bird Boxes
Putting up bird boxes in your garden will help give birds a place to shelter through the winter months.
Come spring, these bird boxes will also give birds a place to nest during the spring. Winter is the hardest time of year for wildlife, so if we all put up bird boxes in our gardens, it would help birds get through the winter months.
Hedgehog Homes
Hedgehog homes in your garden can help hedgehogs.
Hedgehog homes give a place for hedgehogs to hibernate during the winter months. Sadly, hedgehogs are in decline in the UK, so our spiky friends need our help, and what better way to help these cute animals than to provide them with a home for the cold winter months!?
Frog/Toad Homes
Frogs and toads are two more animals that hibernate.
Frogs and toads also hibernate during the winter months in the UK, so it's helpful to provide them with a place to shelter in your garden to help these cute animals through the winter months.
You can help frogs and toads through the winter months by making a leaf pile, or, by buying a specially-made frog and toad home for your garden.
Plant Hedges
Gardening is always about thinking ahead - it teaches us to think ahead. During each season, you can ask yourself:
'what can I do, or what do I need to do in the garden for next season?'
November is a time to plant some things before winter, and for spring bloom. There are a few things that you can plant in November for spring and going forward.
One of the plants that you can plant at this time of year is hedges. Hedges are great for wildlife, they can help so many animals, including hedgehogs, birds and insects. When thinking of choosing which hedges to plant, think of planting native hedges, these are the best types of hedges to help our wildlife.
Native hedges with wildflowers and berries are best to choose, as they will help insects, birds and other wildlife. plus, hedges with wildflowers and berries are pretty and relaxing to look at, nature is also good for our own mental health, so creating our gardens to help nature helps us too.
Plant Spring Bulbs
While spring does seem far away right now, November is a good time to plant bulbs to flower in the spring.
Bulbs to plant this month to flower in Spring are daffodils and tulips. Planting these bulbs will make your garden look pretty and will also help insects like bees when spring arrives. There are also many other things that you can plant during November in the garden,which we will take a look at in another post.
While things are a lot quiet in the garden during the Autumn, there is still plenty to be done at this time of year, and November is the last chance to get things done in the garden before the winter arrives with frost and snow.
A Final Task In The Garden
One final task for the garden in November is to help birds through the winter, you can do this by providing them with food in your garden.
Putting fat balls in your garden can help birds in the winter and late autumn, as the fat will help to keep birds warm during the cold winter months.
You can also get specially made winter seed mixes for birds.
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