Lazy Gardener’s Guide To Helping Nature This Winter

Before you clear every fallen leaf, trim every branch, and tidy every corner of your garden this winter, DOC has a message; leave a little mess behind, and nature will thank you.

DOC is encouraging New Zealanders to embrace a bit of “winter wildness” in their backyards and create small pockets of habitat for native birds, insects, lizards, and other wildlife.

Principal Science Advisor Colin O’Donnell says helping nature doesn’t have to mean a major garden makeover; sometimes the best thing you can do is simply leave things alone.

“Nature doesn’t only exist on conservation land,” says Colin. “Wildlife doesn’t recognise fences or property boundaries, so the things we do in our own backyards can make a real difference.

“You have my permission to be messy! One of my favourite tips is to allow a little bit of mess. A layer of leaves helps protect the soil, keep moisture in, and provides habitat for insects and fungi, and a fallen branch or old log can become a home for tiny creatures. What looks untidy to us can be a thriving ecosystem for nature.”

Winter can be a tough time for wildlife, with food harder to find and shelter more important. Leaving natural materials in your garden can provide valuable hiding places and food sources when animals need them most.

DOC says simple actions people can take this winter include:

• Leaf it alone – leave fallen leaves in garden beds where they can break down naturally
• Keep the sticks – branches and logs provide homes for insects and shelter for wildlife
• Create a wild corner – leave one part of your garden a little untidy and let nature move in
• Plant for nature – choose native plants that provide food and shelter throughout the year
• Protect your patch – consider trapping introduced predators like rats and keeping cats indoors at night

“Even a small garden, balcony or backyard can become a place where nature can thrive,” says Colin. “Planting a few native trees and shrubs is one of the best things you can do. Look for plants that flower or produce fruit at different times of the year, so birds have food through all seasons.”

Native plants that can work well in suburban gardens include:

• Kōwhai – loved by nectar-feeding birds such as tūī and korimako/bellbirds
• Harakeke/flax – produces nectar-rich flowers and provides shelter
• Coprosma species – provide berries and dense cover for birds and lizards
• Hebe – a smaller shrub that attracts insects and suits many garden spaces

“Some of our most loved native birds, like tūī, korimako, and tauhou rely on nectar and fruit. Kererū also play an important role by spreading seeds through the forest,” says Colin.

DOC says people should avoid feeding birds bread or scattering seed, which can attract introduced species like sparrows and rats. If people choose to provide water or nectar for birds, feeders should be cleaned regularly to reduce the risk of spreading disease.

Backyard biodiversity also means helping less obvious visitors.

“Ruru and pekapeka (long-tailed bats) rely on insects, so a messy garden that supports insects can also support these incredible native species. Keeping old trees where it is safe to do so, reducing lighting at night, and keeping cats indoors can all help.”

New Zealand is home to around 28,000 species found nowhere else on Earth, but many are under pressure from introduced predators and habitat loss.

“Taking action in your own backyard might feel small, but every patch of nature helps. Over time, those patches connect to create a much bigger network of places where our native species can live.”

“So, before you grab the rake this winter, remember that pile of leaves might not be a problem to fix – it could be a home waiting to happen.”