As summer draws to a close and autumn begins, our September Eco Tip from St Oswald’s Eco Church Group is a simple one: leave a little wild.

At this time of year it can be tempting to cut everything back, rake up all the leaves and make the garden completely tidy. But what looks untidy to us can be a valuable habitat for wildlife.

Leave seed heads standing

Instead of cutting back all your summer plants, leave some of their seed heads in place over autumn and winter. They provide a natural source of food for birds and other wildlife, while hollow stems and dried vegetation can also offer shelter to insects.

Don’t clear away every leaf

Fallen leaves are part of nature’s cycle. Leaving some beneath hedges, around shrubs or in a quiet corner creates shelter for insects and other small creatures. Hedgehogs may also make use of piles of leaves and other undisturbed vegetation when looking for places to shelter.

As the leaves gradually break down, they return nutrients to the soil too.

Let some grass grow longer

You don’t have to leave the whole lawn uncut. Even a small patch of longer grass can make a difference. Allowing an area to grow and go to seed creates additional habitat and provides food and shelter for insects and other wildlife.

Small spaces can make a big difference

You don’t need a large garden to help nature. A small wild corner, a patch of longer grass, a few seed heads left standing or some leaves beneath a hedge can all contribute to a network of places where wildlife can feed and shelter.

For us as an Eco Church, caring for the natural world is also part of our Christian responsibility to care for God’s creation. Small changes in our gardens, churchyards and community spaces can collectively make a real difference.

As Psalm 24:1 reminds us:

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

So this autumn, perhaps don’t be quite so quick to tidy everything away. Leave a little wild and give nature somewhere to call home.

Small actions can help care for God’s creation. Let’s work together for a greener, kinder world.

7/9/26