Gardening tips for winter plant and wildlife protection

As winter approaches, gardeners are advised to take specific measures to protect both plants and local wildlife from frost and cold temperatures.

To protect potted agapanthus, it is recommended to move them to a bright, unheated, frost-free location such as a garage, veranda, or cold greenhouse starting in early October. The Société Nationale d’Horticulture de France notes that these plants require a cold season to bloom again, so heated greenhouses should be avoided. Pots should be placed near windows and kept away from radiators, with watering adjusted based on whether the variety is evergreen or deciduous.

For garden fauna, providing high-calorie food like black sunflower seeds can help birds maintain body temperature during sustained cold spells. It is advised to avoid feeding birds bread or salty scraps. Additionally, removing plastic netting from fat balls is crucial to prevent injury to birds. To support small mammals like hedgehogs and shrews, leaving piles of branches and dead leaves in the garden can provide necessary thermal insulation and shelter.