As we get deeper into October and the temperatures continue to fall, food becomes scarcer for our local wildlife. In the plentiful months of spring and summer, deer may have coexisted peacefully nearby relatively unnoticed, but from late fall they're more likely to come into our gardens to search out food. The same is true of rabbits, squirrels, mice and voles, which find winter a challenging time.

If you're concerned about trees, shrubs or other garden plants becoming a major colder-weather food source for wildlife, first finding out what's most at risk is one of the wisest winter garden ideas.

Then you can set about putting some protection in place. I've identified a few of the most vulnerable plants and called on the experts to help keep them safe and growing well for years to come. Armed with these carbon steel tin snips from Lowes, you'll be ready for most things.

As permaculture designer Elizabeth Waddington at First Tunnels points out, it is when food is scarce for wildlife that 'the plants we have lovingly grown can become tempting sources of food and shelter'.

Elizabeth recommends a stroll around the garden in fall, noting any damage and identifying first of all young trees and newly planted hedges, which can be vulnerable to hungry deer, although she reminds us of the importance of wildlife in general:

'From a permaculture point of view, the aim is not to keep every creature out of the garden. It is to find a balance: protecting the plants we particularly value while making room for wildlife to be part of a healthy, productive landscape.'

'New trees and hedges haven't had time to establish themselves yet,' she continues. 'These plants are doing important work, providing future shelter, food and habitat, but they may need a little help during their first few years. Rabbits can gnaw bark around the base of young trees, while deer may browse the tender tips of branches or rub against trunks. Damage to a young tree can set it back considerably, so a little preventative protection can make a real difference.'

'A suitable tree guard or a cylinder of sturdy wire mesh can prevent rabbits from damaging the bark. Make sure the guard is tall enough for the animals in your garden, securely anchored and checked regularly so it does not rub against the trunk as the tree grows. Where deer are a problem, taller fencing may be needed, as they can browse well above the reach of rabbits.'

If you've mastered the art of planting trees, it's worth putting in a little work to protect them. We recommend simple mesh cylinders like these expandable ones from Amazon.

Roses and Evergreen Shrubs

While shrubs like arborvitae, yew, rhododendrons and azaleas are not the first choice of deer or rabbits, in winter as snow and ice cover deciduous plants and ground-level vegetation, these creatures can become desperate and turn to our prized shrubs for nutrients. And thorns are no obstacle for deer.

Jacob Bradbury of Derbyshire Walling & Landscaping works on gardens in the north of England, many of which are in rural locations susceptible to wildlife. 'Deer will eat roses and evergreen shrubs,' he says, 'So you need protection of 6ft (1.8m) height minimum, meaning you'll probably need to put tall tubes or mesh cages around each shrub individually.'

Fruit trees are particularly attractive to deer, who like to nibble the bark and tender bud tips, often more reachable with a little snow on the ground. Rabbits, mice and voles can cause similar, if not more damage, harming the tender bark at ground level. How to plant a fruit tree is a great skill to learn, as is protecting your trees over winter.

Jacob explains: 'Rabbits strip bark at ground level through winter, which kills trees. Deer will do the same thing but obviously higher up the tree. I'd put a spiral guard around new tree trunks to protect them against rabbits, or wire off a whole area with mesh fencing at least 4ft (1.2m) high and the bottom six inches in the ground.'

Elizabeth underlines the importance of coexisting with nature: 'We can support that balance by growing a diverse range of plants, including native hedges, fruiting shrubs, seed-bearing perennials and trees that provide food and shelter.

'We can leave some areas undisturbed, build healthy soil and avoid unnecessary interventions. At the same time, there is nothing wrong with protecting a young apple tree or a bed of winter vegetables. In fact, helping young plants establish successfully is part of creating a resilient landscape for the future.'

The stems, bark and dormant buds of soft fruit bushes become prime targets for rodents and other herbivores in winter, their nutrient-dense tissues providing irresistible survival food. As if that weren't enough, birds like bullfinches and pigeons will also strip fruit bushes of the tender overwintering buds.

The vulnerability of fruit bushes is also connected with the cultivation of the soil says Elizabeth: 'Soft fruit bushes, newly planted strawberries, currants and other soft fruit can suffer, especially in gardens where wildlife has easy access to cultivated beds. Fruit cages are ideal to protect soft fruits.'

In cultivated areas like kitchen gardens, it's also possible to fence in the entire bed with hardware cloth or chicken wire, or you can use sturdy polytunnels, like these Outsunny designs from Lowes to protect bushes most at risk.

Vegetables and Winter Greens

'Vegetable crops and winter greens are also worth watching,' explains Elizabeth. 'Kale, cabbage, broccoli and other brassicas can be particularly tempting to hungry rabbits and deer.'

Mice and voles will also be tempted by the tender green of these plants, and can quickly strip them of their leaves, chew on stalks and even tunnel underground, disturbing the root systems.

A few things can help at this time of year. You can remove tall weeds, heavy mulches and compost nearby to cut down on shelter in the vicinity. Or use row covers of fine netting, weighted down securely all the way around so there are no gaps. Longer term, raised beds can also be lined with fine wire mesh or hardware cloth/chicken wire before planting.

'For vegetable beds, a secure mesh enclosure can be a good solution,' advises Elizabeth. 'It's also worth thinking about how wildlife moves through the garden, and positioning particularly vulnerable areas, like vegetable gardens for example, off key routes. Consider investing in a polytunnel this month. It will not necessarily keep wildlife out, particularly if doors are left open or there are gaps around the edges.

'Rabbits and rodents may still find their way inside, so secure entrances and suitable mesh barriers are important where these animals are a problem. However, the covered growing area can offer a level of protection for some of the most vulnerable crops.'

Spring bulbs

If you've noticed your spring bulbs disappearing or being unearthed in previous winters, the culprits are likely to be hungry squirrels, who, quite naturally, see them as a nutrient-rich food source.

'Squirrels will eat anything newly planted, especially tulips and crocus,' says Jacob. Luckily there's a fairly easy solution, which involves protection over winter while they get their roots down.

'Chicken wire over newly planted bulbs will protect them from squirrels,' Jacob advises, 'but make sure you peg the wire down and cover the edges with a bit of soil.'

Elizabeth adds: 'Wire baskets or mesh covers can help protect freshly planted bulbs from digging.'

Seedlings and young perennials

'Then there are seedlings and young perennial plants. Both rabbits and deer can eat emerging shoots before we even have a chance to enjoy them,' says Elizabeth.

The problem could also be mice or voles chewing at the crowns of plants at ground level or at material below ground, causing young shoots and perennials to flop.

Again, a fenced-in area can help, while a degree of pragmatism might also be helpful.

'The best winter protection is thoughtful, preventative and proportionate,' says Elizabeth. 'By putting a few measures in place in October, making good use of polytunnels and allowing parts of the garden to remain wild, we can protect what matters to us while creating a garden that continues to nourish both people and wildlife throughout the year.'

What to Shop

When you're thinking about protecting your garden plants from animals like deer, rabbits and voles, start with simple, targeted solutions. As Elizabeth says, 'Rather than trying to exclude all wildlife from a garden, we can protect individual plants or particularly vulnerable areas.'

'A healthy garden is not one without wildlife; it is one where different forms of life can coexist, even if we occasionally need to protect particular plants.'

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