Gardeners urged to stack logs in their gardens this November

Gardeners have been advised on how to utilise logs in their gardens, which will be especially beneficial this November. As temperatures fall, more and more wildlife will seek shelter and food to escape the cold conditions, and dead wood habitats are a great solution for many garden wildlife.

Dead wood habitats are ideal for beetles, which can utilise the wood for feeding and breeding. Woodlice, centipedes and millipedes, which are crucial parts of garden biodiversity, also profit from the habitat, thanks to the dark and damp conditions it offers - an ideal spot for the creatures. Fortunately, there are three easy ways to create homes for various wildlife, all of which use just one thing.

According to Gardeners' World, creating log piles is ideal, particularly for beetles that feed on decaying wood under the soil's surface.

Gardeners' World explained: "First, find a spot where your log pile is unlikely to be disturbed. To create it, partially bury the logs, as some type of beetle feeds on decaying wood beneath the soil's surface. Ensure there are nooks and crannies for insects and mammals, and fill any gaps with dry leaves."

Another option is creating a stack of wood. To do this, simply start off by setting up four wooden posts in a rectangle, and then fill the space with logs, twigs, and other pieces of wood.

Once you're done, place larger pieces of wood, such as logs, at the bottom, then add twigs and clippings on top.

The final way to utilise logs is by constructing a wooden fence. You can make your own by setting up "sturdy posts in the ground and then weaving branches in between them".

Consider nailing them in place for a fixed fence; alternatively, you can leave the posts how they are and allow them to "move naturally as they gradually break down".

Gardeners' World added: "To allow the fence to rot down gradually and provide the most habitats for wildlife, don't treat the wood with preservative."

And just like that, these three easy methods will help you protect and cater to a range of wildlife, whilst they search for suitable homes this winter, all without doing too much hard work.