12/28/2025
Hans Zarkov Yay its ok
Many garden creatures depend on winter shelter to survive until spring. Leaving a few natural areas untouched can protect pollinators, beneficial insects, and small wildlife that keep your garden healthy all year. Each part of a winter yard plays a role, and even small changes can make a big difference.
Leaf litter is one of the most important winter shelters. Butterflies, fireflies, moths, beetles, and many pollinators spend the winter tucked among fallen leaves. Instead of clearing every part of the yard, allow leaves to remain under trees, shrubs, or around garden beds. This creates insulation and protects insects during freezing weather.
Hollow stems from native perennials provide natural nesting spots. Many solitary bees, ladybugs, and small insects overwinter inside dried stems. When you cut back your plants in fall, leave stems standing until spring. This gives wildlife time to emerge naturally once temperatures warm up. You can tidy them later when the growing season begins.
Brush piles offer a safe place for birds, chipmunks, toads, and beneficial insects to hide from cold temperatures and predators. A simple pile of twigs and branches arranged in a corner of the yard creates dozens of small pockets where animals can stay warm. Choose an out of the way spot and let storm debris or pruned limbs accumulate there through the winter.
Fallen logs and naturally rotting wood support some of the most important species in the garden. Beetles, salamanders, spiders, and fungi all find food and shelter under decaying wood. If you have a log or thick branch on the ground, let it remain. Over time it becomes a miniature ecosystem that enriches the soil and protects wildlife.
To help even more, reduce nighttime lighting, avoid raking or blowing leaves in winter, and skip pesticides that harm overwintering insects. A small area left wild can support a surprising amount of life and will reward you in spring with more pollinators, healthier soil, and a naturally balanced garden.
