Growing A Bee Garden
In this section, learn about how to attract bees to your garden for fuller more beautiful flowers. Bees are more attracted to gardens with a greater diversity of nectar producing flowers. Also, consider factors like the layout and light exposure of your garden.
Not all flowers attract bees and you may have noticed this in your own garden. Typically flowers that are bell shaped are a good bet for attracting bees as these plants provide nectar. Bees prefer visiting plants and gardens with an abundance of different food flowers. In a recent study of California bees, gardens with ten or more species of their favorite flowers were visited far more frequently that gardens without a lot of the ‘good’ flowers. They do like feeding in big patches of nectar producing flowers. Bees are far less likely to visit gardens treated with pesticides.
Gardens that are not overly manicured tend to offer ideal living environments for native bees. Solitary bees make their nests in trees, bushes or on the ground. With less garden intervention, the bees securely go about their business uninterrupted. Some people experiment with ready made bee nests in the hopes of attracting more bees but generally speaking bees do quite nicely building their own abodes.
We all know people who are afraid of bees but the fact is that bees are actually very shy and tend to avoid human contact. If you stand in your garden for several minutes you will notice the bees leaving slowly as they feel that their space has been ‘invaded’.
If you have a backyard garden, placing stepping stones throughout the garden area will allow you to walk among the flowers so you can count the numbers of bees and the variety of species.
Ideally, it is important to plant flowers that bloom successively over the spring, summer and fall seasons in order to provide pollen and nectar resources to native bees. As the seasons change, watch for changes in bee visits and the various types of bees.
