WILDLIFE

Wildlife-friendly autumn tidy-ups: what to clear and what to leave

A balanced approach to leaves, borders, hedges and hidden wildlife as gardens head into winter.

Check before strimming or clearing

Long grass, leaf piles and dense edges can hide hedgehogs and other wildlife. Inspect by hand before using powered cutting equipment.

Clear safety-critical areas

Wet leaves on paths, steps and lawns can cause problems, so clear them. Move suitable healthy leaves into a quieter area or leaf-mould pile rather than treating every leaf as waste.

Keep useful cover

Retain some dense shrub growth, hollow stems and seed heads where they are not causing access or plant-health problems.