How to Attract Bees to Your Garden

It is that time of the year again when bumble bees are on the rise. Bees are so important for our gardens! Bees pollinate over 82% of plants, flowers, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. The significance of bees cannot be underestimated, without them, many of our favourite foods would go not exist anymore. Making sure your garden is bee-friendly is super important for protecting these crucial pollinators. We have put together some top tips& tricks for attracting bees to your garden.

Incorporate a wide range of flowers into your garden. It is so important to plant a diverse range of plants and flowers in your garden as bees are attracted to variety. A few examples are lavender, sunflowers, lilac, and indigos. Also, colours matter! Bees are especially attracted to colours like blue, yellow, and purple. Remember to grow plenty of single flowers as many cultivators have extra parts which can make it harder for bees to access the pollen and nectar. So get planting!

Pull back on the weeding. Many of the plants we love to weed are actually quite beneficial to bees by providing pollen & nectar such as dandelions.

Allow weeds to grow by decreasing lawn-mowing.

Incorporate a water supply - like many animals and insects, Bees also need water to survive, so providing a small water supply can really boost the number of bees coming to your garden.

Avoid using pesticides - Pesticides & harsh chemicals have the potential to be very harmful to bees. You should aim to avoid using these in your garden and incorporate more natural alternatives.

Create a bee shelter - Providing shelter for insects is always a good idea for the health of your garden. Depending on your location there may be extreme weather conditions which can affect the bees. You can create a safe space for bees by making a bee house or buying one already made. You should also make sure the entrance is downward facing to avoid rain getting in. By following these simple tips, you can create a thriving ecosystem in your own backyard and help support the important work of our pollinator friends.

This article was brought to you by Two Wests.