Why We 'Leave the Leaves' for Totnes Hedgehogs 🦔

If you saw the recent BBC News report, you might have seen some familiar nighttime visitors. Hidden cameras in over 400 gardens revealed just how critical our back gardens have become for the survival of the British hedgehog.

The study highlighted a worrying trend: hedgehog numbers are falling. However, the experts offered a clear solution. They confirmed that features like "leaf litter and log piles" are essential for their survival, providing crucial spots for hibernating and breeding.

The Myth: "Eco-Friendly Means Messy"

Many of my clients in Totnes want to help wildlife, but they worry that leaving "habitats" means letting their garden turn into an overgrown jungle. 🦔

This is where professional maintenance makes the difference.

As you can see in the photo above, we don't just blow leaves away to landfill. We create strategic habitat piles. By tucking these piles into quiet corners or behind planters, we provide the winter shelter the BBC study recommends, without cluttering your patio or pathways.

By tucking these piles into quiet corners or behind planters, we provide the winter shelter the BBC study recommends

Going One Step Further 🏡

Alongside leaf management, we actively encourage installing dedicated hedgehog houses in quiet, shady spots.

The goal is to create a "wildlife corridor" through the dense lanes of Totnes. When combined with our Quiet Gardening approach (using low-noise battery tools), we ensure that we aren't scaring off the very creatures we are trying to protect.