December in the garden always feels a bit like the morning after a great party; everything’s quiet, the flowers have gone home, and you’re left staring at the remains, wondering who’s going to clean up.
But look closely and you’ll see there’s still some life around. A robin might be puffing itself up on the fence post, or a blackbird might be poking around the leaf litter for snacks. Winter may be sleepy, but it’s far from lifeless.
For our feathered friends, December can be a tough month. The insects have vanished, the berries are nearly gone, and anything edible is either frozen solid or buried under mulch. That’s where we come in. A few well-placed feeders can turn your garden into the local diner.
Sunflower hearts are a crowd favorite, and suet balls are basically bird comfort food – full of calories for keeping warm. Hang your feeders near shrubs or hedges so the birds have somewhere safe to dash if a hawk shows up or the neighbor’s cat. We’re not even going to talk about the bears…hang ‘em high!
And if you’re like me and sometimes forget to refill the feeder, don’t worry, nature has its own backup plan. Leaving seed heads on plants like echinacea or ornamental grasses gives birds a natural buffet. Even windfall apples can be a winter feast for some.
Debby Hall
Oh, and don’t forget water. A shallow dish will do, but keep it ice-free. I’ve been known to trot out with a kettle of warm water in the morning – my neighbors think I’m making tea for the sparrows. Or, let’s face it, maybe they think I’m a loon!
While most bees and butterflies are tucked away for a long winter nap, a few brave souls still venture out on milder days. You can give them a little help with some winter-flowering plants like Polyanthus Primrose, or good old Hellebores. Even ivy, that much-maligned climber, offers nectar late in the year and berries later on.
For those still snoozing, provide shelter. A messy corner with some dead leaves, hollow stems, or an old log pile makes perfect overwintering space. So, if anyone accuses you of being a lazy gardener, just tell them you’re running a five-star insect hotel.
The beauty of feeding birds and pollinators in December is that you’re not just helping them survive, you’re keeping your garden’s heartbeat going through the quiet months. The robins you feed now will sing for you in spring, and the bees you shelter will return to pollinate your flowers.
So yes, the party season might be over, but the guests are still around. Pour yourself a hot drink, throw out some seeds, and enjoy the small, busy lives that keep your garden alive, even in December!
Happy Gardening!
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