Encouraging wildlife into the garden can help future-proof it for the next growing season
In recent years the “no dig” system of growing vegetables has become very popular.
This works by leaving the soil alone and, apart from removing weeds and avoiding stepping on it, which would compact the earth, simply piling fresh organic material on top and growing straight into it.
This works really well if you have good soil and a steady supply of compost, but on heavy soils and without sufficient organic material to cover it deeply, you may choose to dig instead.
If you are going to dig, then do it now and leave any large clumps on the surface so that the frost will do the work of breaking them down.
Alternatively, if you have light soil that is prone to blowing away in heavy winds, then you can anchor it in place by sowing a green manure. This will work like a blanket, knitting the soil together and keeping down weeds, and when you eventually dig it in, it will add nutrients to the earth.
Another important step to take at this time of the year is to clear away all old leaves and stalks. Left in place, these will provide food and protection for slugs and although these slimy molluscs have an important place in the food chain, there is no need to encourage them.
Check along the sides of raised beds and under pots where slugs frequently hide, as clearing out as many as you can now will help to reduce the amount of damage inflicted on young, tasty crops next spring.
Encouraging birds into the garden will help deal with the problem naturally but remember to scrub bird feeders regularly to prevent the build up of germs.
If you grow apples, then leaving a few windfalls on the ground will also help to attract birds and don’t be too quick to remove mushrooms from the lawn, as these are an important food source for many small creatures. Look closely at any you find in the garden and you’ll see where they’ve been nibbled around the edges.
Encouraging wildlife is good for the garden and at this time of year hedgehogs are looking for places to hibernate, so don’t sweep away all fallen leaves.
Instead, leave a few bundles of leaves around and next spring a resident hedgehog may reward you by eating more of the slugs.