5 top gardening tips for September

With the warmer months sadly behind us, we are starting to think about what we can do in our gardens to provide during the autumn and winter for our feathered friends. Here are our top 5 tips for the month of September to have a think about:

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1. Plant Late-Flowering Plants: Choose native plants that bloom in late summer and early autumn, such as sedums, or asters. These plants provide a valuable nectar source for insects, which in turn serve as food for songbirds. The insects attracted to these plants will help sustain birds during their migration and fall activities. You can also sow hardy annuals like poppies, marigolds and knapweeds for future flowering.

2. Install Nesting Boxes: While songbirds may not be nesting during September, it's a great time to install nesting boxes to provide them with suitable places to roost and nest next spring. Make sure to place the boxes in quiet, sheltered spots away from predators and disturbances. You can also use this month to clean out old or unused nestboxes to prepare for the following year.

3. Create Brush Piles: Gather fallen branches, leaves, and twigs to create brush piles in a corner of your garden. These piles offer excellent shelter for birds, especially ground-feeding species like thrushes and wrens. The shelter provided by brush piles is particularly important during colder months.

4. Maintain Bird Baths: Continue to keep your bird baths clean and filled with fresh water. As temperatures begin to drop, water sources can become scarce, making your garden a valuable oasis for thirsty birds. Consider adding a small stone or ball to prevent the water from freezing during colder nights.

5. Leave Seedheads and Berries: Instead of cutting back all of your plants, leave some seedheads and berries intact. These provide essential food sources for songbirds as they prepare for migration or hunker down for the winter. Plants like sunflowers, coneflowers, and berry-producing shrubs are excellent choices.

By taking these steps, you'll not only support songbirds directly but also contribute to the overall health and biodiversity of your garden ecosystem. Remember that creating a bird-friendly environment is an ongoing effort that can have a positive impact on local bird populations year after year.

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The SBS Team

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If you are a scientist and would like to shine a light on your recent research covering songbirds here in the UK, then let us know! As a supporter of our charity, if you have ideas for blog posts you would like to see and topics you would like us to cover on #theSBSblog, please contact us at dawn-chorus@songbird-survival.org.uk or our Research and Engagement Manager at charlotte@songbird-survival.org.uk. 

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