Bees may be tiny creatures, but they are vital to our earth. Without these busy little pollinators, we wouldn’t have many of the fruits and vegetables that we take for granted every day.
Not only that, but they benefit other wildlife as well, pollinating wildflowers that produce food for many critters.
But, sadly bees (and butterflies) are in decline around the world. With the rise of modern agricultural technology, the growth of cities and the wiping out of wildflower fields, the humble bee is dying.
We depend on bees for more than we realize when it comes to food. Why not plant your garden with the bees in mind? It’s a great way to promote environment well “beeing”.
Here are some ways you can make your garden more bee-friendly.
By providing a constant supply of pollen and nectar, your garden will become a popular hangout for bees. Plant a succession of flowers that they love, including a diverse range of options, from flowers to fruits and trees to shrubs. Just make sure they produce flowers that are rich in pollen.
Here are some good examples:
Remember that flowers love sheltered locations with lots of bright sunshine. Plant flowers together in batches and add them to vegetable and fruit plots as well.
Also, go easy on garden maintenance. Allow some areas of your plot to become a little bit overgrown, as long grass offers shelter to bees.
Uncut grass also fosters the growth of wildflowers, such as clover and daisies. These types of blossoms produce a bunch of nectar and pollen for bees.
Build your very own bee hotel
This is a great way to provide shelter for bees and rebuild the bee population in your community. Here’s a video that shows you how to do it.
Chemicals are a bee’s worst nightmare. Not only do pesticides do their part to kill pests, but it ends up killing and contaminating everything else. Pollinators are killed off, disrupting the food chain and harming wildlife.
We understand that pests can wreak havoc on your fruits and vegetables. Just keep in mind that there are non-toxic ways to ward off pests.
Netting, mesh barriers and companion plants are a few tried and true methods. Try some of these safe solutions to protect your garden AND the bees.
