© Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
Wildlife gardening in September
September is an important transition month for nature and a time to prepare for autumn in the garden. Many insect species like bees, butterflies and dragonflies are still active, whilst reptiles and hibernating mammals will be eating as much as possible to build up fat reserves for their winter sleep.
Wildlife Gardening activities
© Richard Burkmar
Stay messy!
Keep leaving seedheads and fruit to develop and don't be tempted to remove all the dead stems in your garden. These will provide valuable places for the insects which hibernate during winter as adults in a state of diapause.
Leave out food for Hedgehogs
Leave out meat-based cat food (no fish) for Hedgehogs to help them build up fat reserves for hibernation.
© Gillian Day
Install a Hedgehog home
Hedgehogs are starting to seek out suitable places to hibernate. Make life easier for them by making or purchasing a Hedgehog home for your patch. A good size log pile will also work just as well, and also provide shelter for their invertebrate prey.
Start planting wildlife-friendly spring flower bulbs
Now is the time to start purchasing spring bulbs as they become available in the garden centre. Top species include include snowdrops, native Bluebells, Snakeshead Fritillary, crocus, and Wild Daffodils.
More ways to help wildlife in September
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