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Wildlife plays a vital role in garden health year-round. As winter settles in, many creatures struggle to find food and shelter — here’s how gardeners can help. 1. Leave Some Mess for the Birds Don’t clear everything.Seedheads from sunflowers, coneflowers, or asters provide essential winter food. 2. Make a Leaf Pile Sanctuary Piles of leaves become homes for hedgehogs, toads, and insects.Pick a quiet corner and let nature do the rest. 3. Provide Fresh Water Even in winter, water sources freeze. Use a birdbath heater or crack ice daily Add a few stones for small birds to perch on 4. Offer High-Calorie Food Winter-appropriate options include: Fat balls Sunflower hearts Peanut butter made for birds Mealworms 5. Avoid Early Pruning of Berry Shrubs Don’t prune holly, pyracantha, or cotoneaster early — their berries feed wildlife through the coldest weeks. Wrap-up:Small acts of support turn your winter garden into a thriving haven for local wildlife — and bring joy to your cold-weather gardening.

December may seem like a sleeping month in the garden, but it’s actually filled with opportunities for planning, care, and creativity. 1. Minimal Watering – but Don’t Ignore It Cold, dry winds can still dehydrate plants. Water pots and evergreens during dry spells Avoid watering when frost is forecast within 24 hours 2. Protect Potted Plants Container roots freeze faster. Wrap pots in fleece or bubble wrap Raise containers off the ground with pot feet 3. Prune for Structure Prune deciduous trees or shrubs only on dry, frost-free days. It’s a good time to improve shape or remove crossing branches. 4. Sow Indoors (Yes, Really!) December is ideal for slow starters: Sweet peas Hardy annuals (like larkspur) Chill tomatoes indoors for an early start 5. Start Garden Planning for the New Year Sketch layouts, choose seeds, and set goals. December is planning gold. Wrap-up:With the garden in dormancy, December offers a calm window to protect what you have and plan for what’s coming.

As the days shorten and temperatures dip, November is the perfect month to prepare your garden for winter. A little work now protects your plants, enriches your soil, and ensures a strong start when spring rolls around. 1. Protect Tender Perennials Plants like dahlias, cannas, and begonias won’t survive frost. Lift tubers and bulbs Shake off soil Cure in a dry, cool place for a few days Store in breathable boxes with sand or sawdust 2. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch Mulching keeps soil insulated and prevents freeze–thaw damage. Use leaf mold, compost, or bark chips Apply 5–7 cm around plants (but avoid touching stems) 3. Clean Up Debris Remove diseased foliage, old annuals, and rotten fruit to reduce overwintering pests and fungal spores. 4. Plant Garlic and Spring Bulbs If the ground isn’t frozen: Plant garlic cloves 2–3 cm deep Add tulips, daffodils, and alliums for spring colour 5. Feed the Soil Incorporate well-rotted compost or manure into beds. Winter weather helps break it down and enrich the earth for next year. Wrap-up:A tidy, well-prepped November garden sets the stage for easier winter maintenance and a healthier spring revival.

Christmas houseplants are wonderful... Until someone gives them too much love and they quietly give up on life. Here's how to keep my three favourites happy: Poinsettia: hates cold draughts and hates neing overwatered even more. Cyclamen: likes bright light and cooler rooms, but keep the watering gentle. Christmas Cactus: thrives on neglect. If you're unsure whether to water it... don't. Treat the m right and they'll stay looking gorgeous right through Christmas.