Don’t be in too much of a hurry to tidy the winter garden. If you can, leave dead and decaying stalks and stems, especially hollow ones such as hollyhocks. Ladybirds and lacewings use them for shelter.
It’s good to keep the soil covered as well, perhaps by old leaves rather than putting them on the compost heap. In fact, this is a time to mulch the bare soil, feeding it and protecting it at the same time. This benefits overwintering bugs as well as larger garden residents like blackbirds and hedgehogs.
Sustainable Wootton Courtenay
Wootton Courtenay 