7 Ways to Provide for Wildlife in the Fall
Nature is about to take her long-awaited rest until the warmer season returns, with the colder months looming just ahead many wildlife unlike bears, raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, wood frogs, and other species of animals that go into hibernation, will be faced with the challenge of finding shelter and food.
The positive side however is we can assist our wildlife friends making the fall and the winter months easier for them by providing or implementing a few changes to our gardens that will serve as a natural habitat.
This support of wildlife will prove beneficial as we do our part of taking small steps that will pay of for them in big ways so let’s help our wildlife friends to weather this time of the year until the warmer seasons returns. If you’re interested in helping wildlife by making provisions then here is what to do.
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1. Bird House or Nesting Boxes
Nesting Boxes or a bird house are great to have when providing shelter for wildlife, if you have one or two nesting box/ bird house now is the time to clear them out by cleaning so they can have a resting place to take shelter from the elements. Ensure that the bird house is in good repair, if there isn’t any of these boxes in your garden but you would love to help with finding shelter then here is what you can do.
2. Leaves
The fall month is the perfect time to gather leaves because of the many trees that sheds leaves this time of the year, although some of those fallen leaves can be used in your compost bin and as mulch in your garden flower beds and around tree trunks some of these leaves can be used as a natural habitat for wildlife. Here is what to do, Once leaves are raked and removed place leaves beneath or at the corner of a hedge. Many animals including hedgehogs will find this leaf pile to be a comfortable spot to protect them from the wind and rain.
3. Hold of on Deadheading
Deadheading is the process of the removal of spent or faded flowers so that garden plants can retain their beauty while growing fuller, why not allow plants to set seed that will provide food for birds. Once the seeds fall to the soil surface don’t rake and bag them but rather allow them to remain.
Your feathered friends will find this buffet to be a real treat and will thank you for it because at times during this time of the year is hard for them to find food. The dead plant and the seed heads will also provide a source of protection to the soil beneath them from wind and cold conditions.
Grasses and perennials with stocks that’s hollow can be use as shelter for insects including pollinators during the winter months. If you must trim perennials that’s faded leave 12-18 inches above the ground.
4. Install a Bug Hotel
The installation of a bug hotel is a great way to shelter insects, many of these insects that will be seeking shelter are pollinators and beneficials. I believe during the fall and the winter months these hotels makes the perfect fit for them.
The idea of installing an insect hotel is a great way to house our garden insect friends from the elements, for nesting and raising they’re young. Who would want to tell these beneficial insects to bug off when we can use their support to ensure that our garden plants are protected from garden insect pests ( the bad bugs ) which can cause so much damage.
A bug hotel can be purchase and easy install in your garden or landscapes, lets be good to our bug friends helping them to survive the harsh winter months so when the warmer season arrives they will do what they do best and that’s going to work for us.
5. Using Sticks and Twigs
Create a natural habitat for wildlife by using leaves, twigs and sticks, the way it’s done is to leave a small portions of spaces of your yard preferably the side or better the back area undisturbed.
Bush, leaf piles and long grasses will attract wildlife encouraging nesting and a place for shelter, overturned flower pots, large stones and bricks will attract insects, larva and toads. Insects and larva can be a food source for toads.
To spruce your fall garden up a bit for wildlife how about providing a toad house, a toad house is and added piece that will look great. A t0ad house can be built or purchased, I believe which ever you decide will help toads through this time of the year.
6. Providing a Food Source
Susan
Include plants that provides a food source and coverage for wildlife, the plants that are provided will enhance your outdoor living space as well. Make sure to provide native flowering plants that blooms in the fall.
Some plants that bloom’s during the fall month are aster species, goldenrod, dahlia, chrysanthemum, coneflowers, pansy, stonecrop, sunflower, black-eyed-Susan etc….once the warmer months arrives these plants will continue to provide shelter from the elements and a food source.
To keep your native plants thriving continue to properly maintain them which requires providing proper, fertilizing and grooming, this best management practice will keep you plants as they re-enter back in the fall months.
7. Birdfeeders
And Easy way to provide for wildlife is the use of birdfeeders, the feeders will ensure that birds are well feed during the colder months. If you have and existent birdfeeder with old food clean out the old food followed by cleaning the feeder which can spread disease to birds.
If you are thinking about the installation of a bird feeder then make sure when putting your birdfeeder in place that it is high and well secured from cats, dogs and other predators.
A bird feeder can be hanged from a tree branch, the reason for this is you want birds to feel safe, remember trees, shrubs and other plants are a birds natural habitat so giving them what they are use to or familiar with will cause them to feel right at home. Keep check on the feeder to ensure when it’s time to either top-up or refill again.
The final word on how to provide for wildlife in the fall
Providing for wildlife during this time of the year will really help them to feel right at home, it dose not take a lot to transform our garden into a natural habitat that will say to our wildlife friend home sweet home. So lets be good to them as we help them to whether the winter months that’s just ahead of us.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.