Leaf piles are a hedgehogs best friend (Image: Getty)
Gardeners are being urged to keep their a little bit messier than usual to protect wildlife this month.
Founder of , Chris Bonnett is encouraging Britons to leave fallen leaves and other debris alone to provide a safe haven for wildlife.
After a cold start to the year, gardeners are being told that leaving piles of fallen leaves in their can provide hedgehogs and other wildlife with warmth and shelter.
He said: “It’s been a cold start to the year with plenty of frosty days over the past few weeks.
“Wildlife needs our help during the autumn and winter more than ever and you can help them by simply leaving one area of your garden untouched.
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Hedgehogs need shelter (Image: Getty)
“We’re encouraging gardeners to leave a small pile of leaves in their gardens as a simple act of kindness to our animals.
“This is a really easy way to help out our furry friends and it takes virtually no effort.”
Even just leaving one corner of your garden untouched could make all the difference for struggling hedgehogs and provide them with some much needed shelter and warmth.
Just make sure that when you do decide to clear the garden come spring you do so gently to avoid harming any critters that have made a home in the leaf piles.
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Old leaves provide a perfect home for wildlife (Image: Getty)
Bonnet said: “Gently move the leaves and listen out for any movement, if you sense that wildlife is present it’s best to leave the pile untouched.”
Leaving the garden alone is advice backed by the National Trust who say that leaving those crunchy leaves and stalks on your perennials could provide a cosy haven for a host of insects.
They can also supply much needed food for birds and furry creatures who find sustenance in the leftover seed heads.
The (RHS) also agrees that while weather-proofing your pots, spreading mulch and ensuring plants are well-supported is important, it won’t hurt to leave some areas of the alone in December.