As temperatures drop and natural food sources become scarce, British Garden Centres has issued a winter wildlife support guide, urging gardeners to take simple steps that can make a significant difference to native species during the coldest months.
The UK’s largest family-run garden centre group says gardens, even small outdoor spaces — can become crucial refuges in winter, providing food, water and shelter when the countryside offers less. With wildlife populations already under pressure from habitat loss and a changing climate, the group is encouraging households to think of their gardens as ‘winter lifelines’.
“During winter, three essentials become harder for wildlife to find: reliable food, unfrozen water and safe shelter,” a British Garden Centres spokesperson said. “The good news is that small changes at home can have a real impact on survival rates until spring.”
Bird feeding is one of the easiest ways to help, but British Garden Centres stresses consistency, particularly in prolonged cold spells. Once birds find a dependable source, they may rely on it through the season.
The guide recommends offering a variety of foods to support different species. Sunflower hearts are a popular staple for robins, finches and tits, while unsalted peanuts can attract woodpeckers and nuthatches. High-energy suet balls and fat cakes provide a winter boost when birds burn calories simply staying warm, and mealworms are a favourite for insect-eating visitors such as robins and wrens. For goldfinches, niger seed is a reliable draw.
Placement and hygiene matter, too. Feeders should be positioned at different heights and placed away from cover where cats might lie in wait. Regular cleaning is advised to reduce the risk of disease spreading, especially where birds gather in large numbers. The guide also notes that some species prefer feeding at ground level, with blackbirds and thrushes often attracted to food scattered on lawns or offered in ground feeders.
Food is only part of the picture. British Garden Centres is also highlighting the importance of fresh water for drinking and keeping feathers in good condition — a need that becomes urgent when puddles and birdbaths freeze.
Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres said:
“Many people assume wildlife doesn’t need our help during winter, but the reality is quite the opposite, as it’s when they need us the most. Gardens can provide critical resources when natural habitats are at their most vulnerable, so our tips will help wildlife thrive over the winter months, so they can thrive throughout the year and beyond.”
Gardeners are advised to check water dishes daily, breaking ice and topping up supplies. To help slow freezing in a bird bath or shallow dish, the guide suggests a simple trick: placing a small ball on the surface so it moves slightly, reducing the chance of a solid freeze during cold snaps.
Hedgehogs also feature prominently in the winter advice, amid continuing concern about their numbers. The guide points out that hedgehogs roam widely and can struggle when gardens are sealed off by solid fencing.
One practical solution is creating hedgehog highways by cutting small access holes, around 10-12cm at the base of fences. This allows hedgehogs to move between gardens in search of food and, later, mates. The guide also suggests putting out meat-based cat or dog food, or specialist hedgehog food, at dusk.
British Garden Centres is urging caution with common winter tidy-ups. Hedgehogs may hibernate in log piles, compost heaps and even bonfires, so checking carefully before disturbing these areas can prevent fatal accidents. Purpose-built hedgehog houses, tucked under shrubs or set against a fence, can provide safer hibernation spots away from predators. Leaving a corner of the garden a little wilder, with piles of leaves and logs — is also recommended as a low-effort way to provide cover.
The guide encourages gardeners to look beyond the most visible visitors. Ladybirds, solitary bees, hoverflies and lacewings all need safe places to overwinter and are among the insects that pollinate spring plants and help control aphids later in the year.
Rather than cutting everything back in autumn, British Garden Centres recommends leaving hollow plant stems and seed heads standing until spring, as they can become ideal winter shelters. Insect hotels mounted on sunny walls offer additional accommodation, while log piles and undisturbed leaf litter create natural, insulated hiding places.
For those with ponds, the guide offers a specific warning: never smash ice. Sudden shockwaves can harm frogs, toads and newts hibernating in the mud below. Instead, gardeners should create an opening safely by resting a pan of hot water on the ice to melt a hole.
Compost heaps can also become winter shelters for amphibians, as the breaking-down material generates warmth. The guide advises leaving compost piles undisturbed through winter where possible. In addition, piles of logs and stones in a quiet corner can provide valuable shelter for frogs and toads, helping protect them from predators.
While much winter advice focuses on birds and hedgehogs, British Garden Centres notes that other animals, including foxes and squirrels — can be regular garden visitors and may struggle to find unfrozen water. Placing shallow dishes around the garden can help a wide range of wildlife stay hydrated when natural sources freeze.
Smaller mammals such as wood mice, voles and shrews also rely on dense vegetation, log piles and compost heaps for shelter. Leaving areas deliberately ‘untidy’ — long grass, leaf litter, stacked logs — can provide safe refuges through the worst weather.
British Garden Centres says the overall aim is balance: keeping gardens safe and tidy enough for household use while leaving pockets of shelter and offering consistent basics.
“Winter is one of the toughest times for wildlife, but it’s also when help is most effective,” the spokesperson added. “A feeder topped up regularly, a shallow dish of water, and a few undisturbed corners can turn an ordinary garden into a haven.”
