BeeKeepClub Resources and Guides for Beekeepers
If you purchase an independently reviewed item through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Read our affiliate disclosure.
There is a lot of talk about bees in the modern age, and the role they play in the pollination of your favourite garden flowers and plants. Bees play an incredibly crucial part in our whole ecosystem, and they are worth looking after.
It has been well-publicized that without bees, the world would be in a lot of trouble. We need to think about bees and their role, and your garden can provide them with the perfect little spot.
In this guide, we look at how you can encourage pollinating bees to head to your garden, and in turn, help plants and even local crops to properly grow and spread.
Provide Water for Bees
Bees need water just like we humans do. There are many ways that you can provide this water for the bee visitors in your garden. A lot of people use bird baths to allow both birds and bees to take a little dip or get themselves some water when they need to. Birdbaths can look great, too.
In hot times or if you are seeing a lot of bees, you can even put bowls of water out or let some of your yards become a bit muddy and wet. Follow these tips for water-conserving landscaping and you can also ensure that you have as much water as possible within your yard.
Create Diverse Plants Flowering All Seasons
There are thousands of species of bee that are native to the US. This comes as a surprise to a lot of people. This means different bee species have different requirements, and it is vital to plant flowers that bloom at different times so they always have something to feed on.
As well as the plants already in your garden, think about what sort of plants could work. Wildflowers are an excellent option to allow bees to feast for longer periods throughout the year.
Skip the Pesticides
We know that pesticides have their uses, both in your garden and within large growing applications, but they are not good for bees. Skip them and try alternatives if you possibly can.
Pesticides, such as neonicotinoids, have been shown in studies to affect bees in lots of negative ways, and prevent them from breeding or being able to properly navigate.
Bees are already having to struggle with pesticides being used in farming, but you can make sure your garden is a safe haven for them.
Use Local Hospitable Plants
You need plants which are hospitable, but they must be suitable for your local climate. You may have a local plant society that you can talk to, and they might be able to tell you what has worked for other people in the local area.
As people are becoming more aware of the problems the world faces around bees and keeping them alive, there are many people looking for solutions, and this will vary from one location to the next. The climate in the US, in particular, is so variable from state to state.
There are a lot of plants that are bees’ absolute favorites, so check if any of these can grow in your garden. Lilac, marjoram, lavender, and abelia (also known as the bee bush) are some of the most popular choices. As long as some of these grow in your local area then you could introduce them to create an even better environment for the bees.
Introduce Vibrant Colors
A lot of people don’t realize that bees are attracted to loud and vibrant colors. Blues and yellows are particularly useful and can attract bees almost all year round. Be sure to include a variety of different colors within your garden for the best results.
This is a chance to experiment, and wildflower gardens look great as well as providing you with the chance to scatter loads of different colors around the yard, this can be a way to give bees the chance to choose exactly what sort of plants they are drawn to.
Provide Shade
Although bees will forage in the full sunlight, they love the shade, too, and are more likely to actually settle within a shady area. To make your garden as inviting as possible, why not make sure that you provide both shaded areas and more sunny areas for the bees? You can also ensure this way that your garden is a friend to more different types of wildlife.
Conclusion
It doesn’t have to take much effort to give bees a great chance to pollinate in your garden. A few simple steps and permanent changes to the garden, including adding shade, water, and more flowers that will attract our buzzy friends, will make a huge difference and keep the bees coming back through all of their active seasons.
