Welcome to Part One of a three-part series all about bees! The little black and yellow guys are disappearing at an alarming rate, and we’re pretty darn screwed without them. Bees are cross-pollinators essential to the reproduction of many plants and flowers, with pollen referred to as the “gold dust of nature.” The life force of plants, pollen is behind much of the foods that insects, birds, other animals and humans consume, so without bees….well, you get the idea. If you’re interested in bringing more of these vital insects into your garden, check out the following tips:
Provide Water
Bees need water to survive, too! If you use an irrigation system or sprinklers, you’re already providing water for bees, but you can also add shallow birdbaths, small fountains and other water features to your property.
Grow a Wide Variety of Colorful Flowers
While the fact that bees love flowers is pretty, um, obvious, they especially enjoy white, yellow, blue and purple flowers. Think asters, daffodils and zinnias among others. It’s important to plant the widest possible variety of flowers your budget and time allows, as different bee species have different-shaped tongues, so variation is key. Also opt for single rather than double blooms, as bees prefer the former, and keep in mind that bees really like native plants and wildflowers. Plant whatever’s native to your region to keep the bees a-comin’, and plant them in clumps if possible, which the insects also like. Sunny areas are also best, as bees enjoy sun and require protection from the wind.
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Avoid Using Chemical Pesticides
One of the biggest bee deterrents is chemical pesticides, as they’ll kill bees in addition to pest insects. Use some of the many natural options available to keep unwanted insects out of your yard, including planting flowers that repel them.
Leave Some of Your Yard “Unattended”
Bees will use dead trees and branches, underground nests, weedy hedgerows and abandoned animal burrows as shelter, so consider leaving some of your property “unattended” to attract them. Make a pile of dead wood, and allow the grass in this area to remain natural rather than manicured and treated.
Use these tips to attract a variety of bees to your property! Be sure to check out Part Two of this series next week, which will concern amateur beekeeping tips!
Do you have an favorite methods for attracting bees to your yard? Share them in the comments section!
