Scotland’s wildlife agency NatureScot has shared a top tip for Scottish gardeners to assist nature this autumn. The expert advice encourages gardeners to take a break during the colder months and refrain from extensive gardening. NatureScot suggests that leaving gardens undisturbed can greatly benefit struggling pollinators such as bees and butterflies throughout autumn and winter, even more so than planting pollinator-friendly flowers for the spring and summer seasons.
According to NatureScot, creating natural shelter spaces for insects is more effective than constructing “bug hotels.” Gardeners are advised to leave areas with stones, branches, twigs, and leaves piled up to provide insulation and shelter for pollinators. These natural habitats can also support toads, who help control pests like slugs in the spring. Additionally, leaving leaves as mulch, using upright trunks for shelter, and maintaining patches of long grass can further support pollinators during the winter months.
Sarah Smythe, a Biodiversity Adviser at NatureScot, emphasised the importance of increasing safe spaces for pollinators over winter. By allowing gardens to remain a bit messy, gardeners can aid bees and butterflies that overwinter individually as pupae. NatureScot also advises to avoid disturbing insect nests, like those of mining bees, if spotted during the summer.
For garden maintenance, NatureScot recommends leaving woody perennials until spring and implementing a rotation system for cutting back stems. Smythe highlighted that natural shelter spaces are more beneficial than bug hotels, as they mimic natural habitats for insects and help prevent disease transmission. By leaving long woody stems to naturally decompose, gardeners can create ideal shelter spots for a variety of insects.
This initiative by NatureScot not only benefits pollinators but also provides an opportunity for gardeners to enjoy a break from rigorous autumn gardening, replacing it with a relaxing cup of tea and browsing seed catalogues. This simple action can have a significant positive impact on Scotland’s wildlife and biodiversity, demonstrating how small changes in gardening practices can contribute to nature conservation efforts.