It’s one of those tasks every gardener has to sort out before winter sets in, but not everything in your garden should be pruned or cut back just yet.

Garden experts are urging gardeners not to prune or cut back any ivy plants growing in their garden just yet, because of the benefits it can provide to vital wildlife in your garden.

Although bans on cutting hedges were lifted at the end of August, gardeners are still being asked to consider leaving ivy alone for a bit longer.

In fact, there are lots of bits of garden maintenance that those of a green fingered disposition could put off a bit longer in a bid to help nature.

The Woodland Trust says that ivy is ‘one of the last garden nectar sources’ for late-flying insects, and birds ‘feast on its fruit through th winter’.

As a result, the trust is asking gardeners to leave any pruning ‘until the last fruit has gone’. 

The Trust said: “Do you really need to tidy away the last flowers, seed heads, fallen fruit, berries, or dead growth? 

“Wildlife may still be relying on them for food or shelter so leaving some behind could be a lifeline in colder months. Ivy is one of the last garden nectar sources for late-flying insects and birds feast on its fruit through the winter too, so leave any pruning until the last fruit has gone if you can.

“Consider putting out supplementary feed for birds or install a cosy home in a quiet corner.”

Of course, there are no rules, laws or fines governing this, gardeners are simply being asked to do it to help lend nature a hand.