Suddenly it has got a lot colder and what makes it worse is that it has been wet and strong winds. Chills you to the core, not the sort of weather to encourage you into the garden and yet there have been brief nice periods when little jobs could be done.

This sudden cold spell is a good reminder to think about my garden friends, the ones with four legs or feathers. The birds are obvious but there are many others who have been working away for me unseen or unnoticed. Now is the time to say thanks and help them through the worst of the winter to come.

So what do I do in my garden to help these little friends?

I have piled up rotting logs to make a home for hedgehogs, beetles, spiders and woodlice. The branches that came crashing down from my Hawthorne have been put to good use, really as nature intended.

The wind blew off some terracotta pots and they have been put to use. They will provide a refuge for our frogs and toads mice and voles. We had a little vole charging about the garden this year and the site of them does make you think about encouraging more.

I leave leaf litter under the shrubs on my drive side border. It may look like I am being lazy but they will rot down and be good for the shrubs and make a snug nest for most hibernating creatures.

Now what about my birds? Well I provide them plants that I like and are also good for them, especially plants that produce berries and seeds.

I leave most clearing up of borders until late winter or early spring. Not only does it give the birds a chance to feed on the seeds and insects that are hiding in the stems it provides winter shelter for birds and insects.

It may be hard but try not to be too tidy in your garden at this time of the year and you will have plenty of wildlife friends around when you need them next spring.