As spring comes knocking, this is the most ideal time for thinking about the plants we should plant to save the bees. The importance of bees in our lives can not be underrated in anyway.
Why save bees?
Unknowingly to most people, there are many reasons why saving bees is of paramount importance. From the pumpkins to almonds and apples among others, we have everything to thank bees for. Colony Collapse Disorder is a condition that has been causing the plummeting of bee populations nowadays. What these means is that these foods which grow via pollination are at a great risk. For the past two decades, over 25% of the honey bee population in US has disappeared and this trend is still continuing. Bees are in a category of animals known as pollinators which also includes bats, bids, butterflies and beetles. Without the activities of bees in spreading seeds, many plants especially food crops are at a risk of dying off.
As the population of bees continues to decline and perish, scientists and researchers have proposed possible ways in which the bee population can be saved. One of the ways recommended to boost the number of pollinators like bees is by planting plants which provide an essential habitat for them. Here are some of the best plants that you should consider planting if you would like to contribute towards saving the bees in your area.
- Native flowering plants
Native plants are deemed as the easiest and most beneficial plants that you can grow in your garden. Generally speaking, native plants are found naturally in a certain region and are thus adapted to growing in the local conditions and conditions. Bees love flowering native plans that feature open blooms and these are certainly the best to grow. Just check at your local nursery and you will find the most ideal plants to grow at your garden and provide a great environment for bees to live in.
- Heirloom plants
Even though most gardeners don’t really plant old fashioned plant varieties, the truth of the matter is that these are among the best plants for saving bees. Hybridization has led to the creation of heirloom plants with showy and resilient booms and which make the ecosystem of your garden much healthier. The good thing about single blossom plants is that they are much easier for the bees to access not to mention that they provide more pollen and nectar than other plants. It is advisable that you look for the organic, heirloom flowers which might have been planted by your grand parents in cottage gardens. Since bees are known to have an excellent color perception, it is a good idea that you consider mixing your blooming color up. Most importantly, make sure that you have colors such as yellows, blues, whites and purples as bees love these very much. In addition, having different varieties of flower shapes in your garden will attract the over 4000 different bee species with different tong lengths and sizes.
- Fruits
Nearly any kind of fruit tree is known to attract bees during its flowering stage. However, some types of fruit trees such as Cherry trees and Royal Gala Apple tend to produce an incredibly large amount of blooms that are bee friendly. Other great options that you should consider planting at your garden are nectarine, peach trees and fragrant citrus. Remember that fruit trees have different pollination requirements and some of them just need the pollen spread within their blossoms while others require cross pollination. As far as fruit trees are concerned, bees do a very incredible job. Shrubs such as blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and elderberry are also very attractive to pollinators and you should consider having them at your garden as well.
- Vegetables
Before vegetables become the produce that is eaten, most of these vegetables usually flower first in the garden. They attract a large number of pollinators and thus ensure a good harvest. Ideally speaking, bees are known to love flowers from various vegetables such as chives and onions, cucumbers squash and pumpkins and also the different types of melons. You might also want to try out broccoli, cauliflower and radish blossoms which can also help save the bees as well.
- Herbs
With herbs, you can rest assured that nothing will ever go wrong. Herbs are not only greatly adored by bees but they are also edible , look and smell wonderful and helps a lot in controlling invasive populations of insects. Most of the herbs planted are self seeding and thus need to ensure that they are planted in a place where they expect to be kept. Some herbs like thyme and mint are known to spread in a crazy manner and it is important that they are grown in containers and in a well- edged garden. The large flower pots used for planting them needs to be sunk under the level of the soil. Catnip, borage, dill, sage, lavender, mint, marjoram, thyme and basil are very popular with pollinators especially bees.
With the recent introduction of more prevalent, powerful pesticides, genetically modified crops and the rapid climatic change, bee colonies are disappearing very quickly nowadays. Bees are the most valuable pollinators we have today and we have every reason in the world why we should save them. In fact, scientists say that about 80% of the plants in the world today are pollinated by bees. What this means is that about ¼ of the food eaten is thanks to the incredible hard work of these bees. A declining population of bees can lead to a dramatic decrease of food supply which is a threat to human life.
There is really no doubt that the work of modern day bees is crucial for sustenance of life. Even though these bees are under a great threat from nearly all the corners, the good thing is that making your garden bee friendly can really help a lot in saving them.
Keeping the Bees: Why All Bees Are at Risk and What We Can Do to Save Them
Bumble Bees of North America: An Identification Guide (Princeton Field Guides)
A Sting in the Tale: My Adventures with Bumblebees
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