Seven Ways To Help Frogs Hibernate This Autumn & Winter

Brits are being encouraged to support their local wildlife by helping frogs hibernate this autumn and winter.

The experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk have shared the different ways we can look out for these garden hoppers. As we settle into autumn, wildlife will be on the lookout for safe and warm locations they can hibernate in over the winter months. Like other wildlife, frogs hibernate to survive the winter as their cold-blooded bodies struggle to keep warm. The lack of food supply also forces them to slow down and rest until the warmer weather returns. While they generally hibernate for three to six months, this can end up being longer in places that are particularly cold. Helping frogs supports local biodiversity and has a direct benefit on our gardens as frogs eat worms, snails and other pests that harm our plants. Small and simple changes can go a long way in helping frogs survive the cold, from leaving piles of leaves and logs to creating damp, sheltered spots where they can safely hibernate until spring.

Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “It’s officially autumn which means our wildlife will be looking to find safe spaces to settle and hibernate for the winter. Frogs are really important for gardens, they keep our plants healthy by eating slugs and other pests so it’s time to repay the favour. The good news is frogs are really easy to care for and some simple changes to your garden during the colder months can really help them out. Simply creating a log or leaf pile can go a long way by providing these animals with a place of warmth and shelter. If you have any spare plant pots laying around over the winter you can also make a really easy frog hotel. Just lay the pot on its side and fill it with soft materials like damp leaves and moss to act as a soft bed.”

How to help frogs hibernate this autumn and winter:

Build a log pile

Stack some logs and twigs in a shady and quiet corner of your garden. Frogs will crawl into the small gaps to stay safe and warm.

Leave leaf litter

Instead of raking up all of your leaves, leave a pile of them in one area of your garden preferably under hedges or shrubs. This will create a warm shelter for frogs on colder days.

Create a compost heap

Compost heaps provide frogs with food such as worms and insects as well as heat. Make your compost heap with a mixture of kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable peelings and garden waste like grass clippings and leaves. Place it on soil rather than concrete so frogs can burrow underneath.

Ensure ponds have soft edges

Frogs often hibernate at the bottom of ponds and they use them all year round. The edges of the pond need to be soft and sloped for easy entry and exit. If your existing pond doesn’t already have a slope, you can lay down some sand, gravel or flat stones to create one. 

Prevent ponds from freezing

To prevent ponds from completely freezing over, place a floating ball or log on top. If the pond freezes over on a particularly cold day, you can remove the object which will leave a small area open to allow for oxygen. Never smash frozen ponds as this can be dangerous for frogs.

Avoid pesticides or slug pellets

It’s generally advised to avoid using pesticides and slug pellets during the autumn and winter to protect wildlife. Using them can damage hibernation spots and cause a shortage of food supply for frogs. 

Create a frog hotel

If you have a spare plant pot laying around you can turn it into a frog hotel over the winter. Simply lay it on its side on top of some soil or turn it upside down and leave one side propped open with a stone. Fill the pot with damp leaves, moss or straw for bedding.