| We can all do our bit for nature, and we don’t need to have considerable gardens to provide a duty of care to our wildlife, as it can be achieved with even the smallest of spaces and green areas. A few pots and crocks on the balcony or around the patio are as appreciated as lawns or ornamental beds. Even a windowbox can make a difference to bees and other pollinators looking to land somewhere safe. |
| Bee Friendly Hints and Tips |
| 1 Bees, hyperfocused on flowers for their nectar, gain a lot from trees. Many trees with blossoms can, in the right season, award thousands of pollinators valuable nutrients and other benefits. These benefits are not just for bees, but for the entire ecosystem. Trees provide foraging for nesting materials, shelter, and habitats with holes and bark spaces, contributing to the biodiversity and health of our environment. There is a diverse array of trees that are suitable for bees, each offering unique benefits. These include willow, horse chestnut, linden, maple, hazel, alder, pussywillow, cherry plum, blackthorn, and sloe. By incorporating these trees into your garden, you can play a significant role in supporting bee populations. |
| 2 Cutting your grass slightly later than your average mowing schedule allows bees and other pollinators to reap the benefits of the longer grasses and weeds. These provide them with a diverse and nutritious food source, and also serve as shelter, contributing to their overall health and population growth. It’s as simple as this: if you need to cut your grass, consider not cutting it as short and opting for a slightly higher edge. Making this adjustment, such as cutting once every six weeks throughout the spring to autumn seasons over once or twice a month at a raised blade height, can make a significant difference for the bees. Remember, it’s all about balance. You don’t have to let your grass grow too long, but equally, you don’t have to cut it too short. By maintaining this balance, you can ensure the health of your lawn while also supporting the vital role of bees and other pollinators. |
| 3 As previously mentioned regarding trees, bees and other pollinators appreciate variety in their pollen and nectar foraging. So, when planting bee-friendly seeds or seedlings, consider a mixture of plants that includes herbs, grasses, ivies, and bulbs alongside fruits and vegetables. Providing a wide range of plant life and habitats within your garden ensures that you will encourage a wide variety of bug and birdlife. Herbs for bees/bumblebees include borage, thyme, mint, hyssop, lavender, sage, chives, comfrey, fennel, catnip, basil, and salvias. Flowers for bees/bumblebees can include coneflower, honeysuckle, ivy, primrose, hyacinth, bluebell, crocus, primulas, marigold, sunflowers, nasturtium, cornflower, hollyhocks and red valerian, to name a few from a long list. Fruits for bees/bumblebees can include, for example, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, apples, blackberries, peaches, avocados and tomatoes. Vegetables that bees/bumblebees love include cabbage, turnip, kale, broccoli, sprouts, celery, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas and beans, carrots, parsnips, and parsley, to name but a few. Shrubs that bees/bumblebees can benefit from include azalea, broom, heather, hebe, weigela, buddleia, roses, hibiscus, hellebore, skimmia and viburnum as examples. |
| 4 Take the first step in supporting pollinators by creating a small wildflower patch or strip in your garden. If you have the space and feel genuinely adventurous, consider dedicating a meadow to these vital creatures. The use of ‘cides’ by modern-day farmers and agriculturists, such as insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides, is causing a rapid decline in many varieties of insects, including pollinators. As environmentalists, organic gardeners, and crop growers, we have a pressing duty of care to uphold. Our insects and pollinators are losing their precious wild habitats daily, and the scale of destruction over any given year is staggering. They are facing significant obstacles that threaten their very survival, and it’s up to us to make a difference. |
| 5 Remember to place some water outside for your bees, birds, and other wildlife species. Foraging for nectar and pollen can be thirsty work. Be mindful that bees are not great swimmers, so adding some small pebbles, rocks, or bits of bark to the water will assist them greatly. They can land and rest awhile, catch their breath, and renew their energy. Also, especially during warm and hot weather, top up and refresh the water when necessary, as it can evaporate. |
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