You can help amphibians in your outdoor space or community by creating a hibernaculum. It will provide shelter for toads, frogs and newts over winter. Male frogs stay in the depths of ponds over winter but females and juveniles seek out damp sheltered spaces. Here’s how to easily make a hibernaculum by recycling things from your space.

You will need:

• An old growing bag
• Grass clippings or soft plant cuttings
• Dead leaves
• Tree or shrub twigs
• Garden spade

Choose a spot

Choose a sheltered area that won’t be disturbed. Dig a shallow rectangular hole that’s the same size as your growing bag. Place the bag in the hole and gently place and pat down the compost.

Cover the bag

Cover the bag with the grass clippings or plant cuttings. Amphibians like to squeeze into small spaces, so firmly pack the clippings down.

Add the leaves

Add a thick layer of leaves on top. Then place some twigs to prevent the leaves blowing away. It is finished! Leave your hibernaculum undisturbed until April.

Cover photo: Common toad, Jamal Kabir