The Bee Friendly Gardener
During the month of April, while the daffodils and purple phlox blossomed, giant bumble bees settled in my garden. Upon some research, I found out that bumble bees can survive colder weather and so, it shouldn’t have been a surprise to see the bees in my yard. It was just another sign from Mother Nature letting me know that spring was officially here.
Now that summer is soon approaching, I want my garden buzzing with pollinators. Below are some tips on how to create a bee sanctuary right in your own yard.
Flower Power
One of my favorite flowers to grow during the summer are zinnias. Their bright cheerful colors can make your garden look whimsical, just like in a fairytale book. Not only do gardeners love growing zinnias, but bees and butterflies sure love them. Other flowers that attract bees are sunflowers and coneflowers. If you have limited space to garden, plant flowers and bee-friendly herbs like parsley, lavender, and lemon balm in pots.
Extra Care
Bees feed from the flowers, but they also need water and shelter from the rain. Place a dish of water near your plants so that the bees have access to it. As for shelter, Amazon sells wooden bee houses that have individual tubes for solitary bees to rest in.
Support Bees Sanctuaries
A few years ago, Actor Morgan Freedman turned his 124-acre ranch in Mississippi into a bee sanctuary. Yay for the bees! Not everyone, however, can accommodate a room in their backyard to be a bee hotel. Instead, donate to organizations that are equipped to provide a safe haven for bees. Search for bee sanctuaries where you live. The Bee Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that provides habitats for bees throughout New York City. The organization also promotes educational programs and advocacy work to ensure that the bee population is protected and continues to thrive.
For more information about The Bee Conservancy, check out their website, thebeeconservancy.org.
So if you’re planning to garden this summer, think about planting flowers that pollinators love. And visit and support local bee sanctuaries to learn more about bee conservation. We can all do our part to protect the bees.