Build a wildlife haven to provide shelter for minibeasts over winter and they'll quickly move in. Quite apart from the joy of having a garden buzzing with life, it's great for the environment and you'll also be attracting a free pollinating service plus built-in pest control for next season.
Most creatures are searching for somewhere to spend the winter about now, so it's a great time to tuck different hidey-holes into sheltered, shady spots all around the garden.
Solitary bees - essential early-season pollinators - crawl into the holes in our bee box to make their nests; or if it's larger animals you're looking for, hedgehog houses are perfect for your prickly friends to settle down in for the winter. Add bundles of rotting wood for wood-boring beetles such as stag beetles, plus a cool damp pile of stones or old tiles for frogs and toads and you'll have a whole little community taking up residence.
