| Hedgehogs in the Garden: How to Welcome and Protect Them Few sights are more heartwarming than a hedgehog shuffling through the garden at dusk. These small, nocturnal mammals are a gardener’s friend — quiet helpers that feast on slugs, beetles, and other pests. Yet across the country, hedgehogs have been declining at an alarming rate. Gardens, once safe havens, have become fragmented and hazardous. The good news is that every garden, no matter its size, can become a sanctuary. By making small, thoughtful changes, we can transform our green spaces into places where hedgehogs can safely feed, rest, and raise their young. Hedgehogs are solitary, night-loving creatures that roam freely for food and mates. In the wild, they travel up to two miles a night. Modern fencing, concrete boundaries, and tidy garden design often block these routes, cutting off access to vital food and shelter. A hedgehog-friendly garden recognises the value of connectedness. It offers safe paths, wild corners, and natural cover — the essentials for a healthy hedgehog population. The simplest and most effective way to help hedgehogs is to link your garden with others. A small 13 x 13 cm gap at the base of a fence or gate allows hedgehogs to move freely between gardens. These “hedgehog highways” create networks across neighbourhoods, restoring the roaming routes they need to survive. Encourage neighbours to join in — a few connected gardens can form a lifeline. Hedgehogs are insectivores, thriving on beetles, caterpillars, worms, and slugs. To attract this natural diet, chemical pesticides and slug pellets should be avoided, which reduce their food supply and can poison them indirectly. You can supplement their diet, especially in dry or cold spells, with: Meaty cat or dog food (in jelly, not gravy) Exceptional hedgehog food from wildlife suppliers Fresh water in a shallow dish Avoid milk and bread — these cause illness and dehydration. Place food and water in a quiet, sheltered spot, ideally under a small feeding shelter or upturned crate to keep cats out. Hedgehogs need places to rest and hibernate safely. They prefer quiet, undisturbed spots hidden from predators and harsh weather. You can help by providing: A log or leaf pile in a shady corner A purpose-built hedgehog house tucked under shrubs Compost heaps or rough garden edges left a little wild Avoid turning or disturbing compost heaps during winter, as hibernating hedgehogs may nest inside. Our everyday garden tools and materials can unintentionally harm hedgehogs. Here are some simple safety habits: Check before strimming or mowing. Hedgehogs often nest in long grass or under piles of leaves. Cover drains and holes. A simple mesh or stone cover prevents accidental falls. Avoid netting near ground level. Hedgehogs can become tangled in garden netting or football nets. Store chemicals safely. Even organic treatments can be dangerous if concentrated. A quick check before you start work can save a hedgehog’s life. Hedgehogs depend on a healthy insect population. A wildlife-friendly garden naturally attracts the creatures they feed on: Grow native plants and flowers for pollinators. Create a mini meadow or wildflower patch. Leave a small area of grass unmown through the summer. Add a small pond or water dish to attract frogs and beetles. The more life your garden supports, the better it becomes for hedgehogs and everything else that depends on balance. In autumn, hedgehogs build nests to hibernate through winter. A pile of dry leaves or hay under shrubs can make the perfect hibernation spot. During colder months, resist the urge to tidy everything away — those “untidy” corners are often the safest shelters. Come spring, leave piles and log stacks in place until temperatures rise consistently. Hedgehogs emerging early need water and easy access to natural food. Hedgehogs remind us that our gardens are shared spaces, part of a broader living landscape. When we leave a patch of leaves, skip the slug pellets, or make a small hole in the fence, we’re helping more than just one species — we’re restoring the quiet harmony between people and wildlife. Small actions, multiplied across many gardens, can create real change. A single hedgehog-friendly garden might seem small, but together, they form vital networks of refuge — little patches of safety and life woven through our towns and villages. |
Hedgehogs in the Garden
Earthly Comforts 
When I lived in New Jersey, hedgehogs were abundant. They are such cute critters.
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They are indeed Eugenia, albeit spiky, but still cuties 🙂
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