How You Can Help the Bees in Your Own Garden
The following tips will help you create a beautiful garden that is helpful to bees and other beneficial insects.
Create Diversity and Color
Some creatures may be color blind, but not bees. The more color and the wider variety of flowers in your garden, the better.
Use Native Plants
Native bees will be most attracted to native plants that they are familiar with. Mix a few in with your favorite ornamentals. Contact your local nursery or independent garden center, your state’s Native Plant Society, or your local Cooperative Extension office for a list of native plants for your area.
Plant Flowers in Clusters
Larger groupings of flowers (instead of sporadically spaced single plants) attract more bees. Even if you only have a small garden area or a few containers to plant in, it will be beneficial to local foraging bees.
Plan for a Succession of Blooms
Plant some flowers that bloom in spring, some in summer, and some in fall. That will provide food for the bees over a long period of the year.
Plant in Sunny Areas
Bees prefer to forage in sunny, protected areas where they won’t be bombarded by wind.
Put Flowers in the Vegetable Garden
If you intersperse some flowers that bees love with your veggies, it will help increase pollination of your vegetables for a better crop.
Allow Some Vegetables and Herbs to Bolt
Leaving a few vegetables and herbs in the garden in the fall will allow them to flower and provide late season food for bees.
Garden Organically
Use non-toxic forms of pest control. Even organic pesticides may kill beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
