Frome Wild Bunch Column – New Year in the garden

Now the festive season is behind us, we can start planning for the year ahead. 

The weather will be mixed but dry days give us a chance to do our bit now for wildlife – whether we have a pot outside the back door, our own garden or access to an allotment, green space or one of Frome’s community gardens. The first step is to resist the urge to tidy up.

That pile of ‘rubbish’ in the corner – dead grass stems, dried leaves, twigs and branches – will provide a wonderful habitat for a range of wildlife, from tiny spiders and beetles through to hibernating hedgehogs. Allowing even a small part of a garden to keep its winter debris will be a great help. Late winter is often the toughest time for birds, when many of the berries have been stripped. Feeding them (being mindful of cleanliness to minimise the risk of spreading disease) has the added bonus of bringing them close – a delight to watch in the dark days of winter.

When it is too wet or cold to be outside, it’s a great time to make New Year resolutions, such as planning for ways to help wildlife over the coming year. If you can find space for a little tree or a climbing plant, consider planting a holly for future berries or encouraging some ivy, as both are a good source of pollen and nectar. Winter-flowering honeysuckle and mahonia are also good providers, along with snowdrops, cyclamen, heather and crocus – all taking up little space. And before we know it, the daffodils will be out.

We at Frome Wild Bunch have been making our New Year resolutions. We have planned a new format for our gatherings in 2026. We are shifting from monthly to quarterly daytime get-togethers, with each focusing on a seasonal topic. The first topic, on 22nd  January in Frome Town Hall, will be ‘birds, bees, hogs and frogs’. This is a chance to learn and share ideas about preparing for spring in a way that supports and encourages wildlife in all of Frome’s green spaces.

In addition to these gatherings, we are planning two evening events over the coming year,  so watch this space.

If you would like to receive the Wild Bunch monthly newsletter or to find out dates, topics and location of gatherings and book your free place, visit www.bit.ly/frome-wild-bunch