Mid to late winter is the deadliest time of year for wildlife. The weather is cold, food is scarce and resources are at their lowest ebb. But caring gardeners can tip the odds back in favour of garden wildlife just by putting out extra rations for all the creatures, even the hidden ones, that pass through their gardens all the time. Gardeners can, quite literally, save the lives of all manner of wild creatures.

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Only three types of British mammals hibernate – hedgehogs, dormice and bats – and that leaves a whole lot of animals that are in need of extra rations to see them through these bitter winter months.  The trick, as always when feeding any wild  animal,  is to feed them just enough. Your patch should be part of a wider source of food that all together makes up a healthy foraging network.

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Badgers and foxes  are fascinating animals, and though they will not be a favourite of many people who keep chickens or other birds, I must admit to a great fondness for both these wild creatures,  as long as I know my hens are tucked up safe. Both foxes and badgers are omnivorous and will benefit from chopped fresh fruit, good quality dog and cat food and the ubiquitous peanut. Never feed more than your visitors eat right away. If you observe any fox  carrying food away to stash for later, you are feeding too much.

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Top of the menu for foxes and badgers is wet or dry cat and dog food, fresh fruit cut into bite-sized pieces and peanuts. If you use dry food, remember to offer a plentiful supply of water at the same time. Peanut butter sandwiches (on wholemeal bread, please) go down very well with both animals, but they tend to be wolfed down in an ungainly fashion.

If you want to enjoy the spectacle of your feeding efforts, put out small things scattered over the  areas of your garden that you are happy for them to visit. If you carefully scatter peanuts and grapes, for example, it will take your visitors longer to eat them, and it will also minimise squabbles among your guests, whether they are of the same or of different species.

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Small mammals like voles, mice and shrews will all benefit from a boost in winter. The insectivores like shrews enjoy mealworms and broken up fat balls while the others will be very happy with a handful of bird seed.   The most important thing to do when feeding these small mammals is to ensure they are safe while they feast.  Make a feeding station that is protected by a hefty wire cage or a  low, covered feeder that is well anchored by a heavy stone and locate it near or under some shrubbery to provide cover to stop these little rodents from becoming the meal of your larger garden  visitors.

Winter is a tough time for birds as well, of course, and while it is sometimes easy to think of garden birdlife as a rather enchanting entertainment, it must be remembered that these creatures can be utterly dependent on garden hand-outs  just to survive.  If you supply a good a range of foods at all times, you will meet the needs of everyone who comes calling. Good quality fat balls, peanuts, sunflower seeds (hulled and unhulled), niger seed, mixed seeds,  fresh fruit such as apples and pears and unsweetened dried fruits (such as raisins) are all excellent sources of winter energy. And don’t forget treats like mealworms that will be particularly palatable to robins, sparrow and even woodpeckers!

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• Only ever put out enough bird food to last a day or two at most and wash your feeders frequently  to  prevent the spread of diseases.

• Only put out enough mammal food that will be eaten in one sitting. Anything that is left hanging around could encourage unwanted visitors like rats.

•  When spring approaches, lay off the whole peanuts in bird feeders in case parent birds unwisely feed them whole to their chicks; crushed peanuts though are safe and packed with energy.

• A great, quick, high-energy midwinter treat for birds is unsweetened and unsalted peanut butter. Simply hang a jar of natural peanut butter horizontally in a tree and sit back and watch the fun. Natural peanut butter is available in wholefood shops, or try milling your own by buying whole shelled peanuts and grinding them in a food processor.

• Hibernating hedgehogs sometimes wake up during warm spells or if their fat stores are running low . If you see a hedgehog out and about in winter put some wet cat food down very close to the hibernation site and keep a close watch to see if it settles down again. If it does, all well and good, but if it is still out after a few hours call your local hedgehog hospital for more advice. Only provide food near the hibernaculum if the hedgehog is active and remove any that goes uneaten, as you don’t want to entice foxes or badgers close to  your hedgehogs.

• The only thing to worry about with British amphibians and reptiles in winter is that you don’t disturb their slumbers. Take care when turning compost, moving piles of leaves, brushwood or logs or doing any early spring garden clear up. It is a delicate time for them as well.