Building a Pollinator Friendly Garden
Becoming a patron for the bees doesn’t have to bee a full-time commitment. With a little time, space, and love building a pollinator garden can bee a rewarding and beautiful way to support both domestic and wild bee populations while helping other pollinators in the process. Bees rely on nectar and pollen for all aspects of energy and survival. On the flip side, many flowers (and most of our delicious produce!) rely on pollinating insects to grow and thrive.
A pollinator garden can be one pot or one field, a repurposed lawn, or maybe a raised bed straight on to your patio. No matter how much space you have, you can help feed the bees (and save them too)! All you need is a bit of yard or a few pots, some nutritious soil, and flowers! (For ideas on what to plant, checkout or page on bee-friendly plants).
​
So many great resources exist online to help you build the pollinator garden of your dreams, a few that we like are:
https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/create-pollinator-friendly-garden-birds-bees-butterflies/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwzZj2BRDVARIsABs3l9IxfB1Vn1Ad1l_lyvVK5OLw84dla_Vw0PiNvynAKfJpU-GTIDtLx3AaAhqXEALw_wcB
https://guelph.ca/living/house-and-home/lawn-and-garden/sample-garden-designs/creating-a-pollinator-garden/
https://seeds.ca/sw8/web/pollination/pollinator-gardens
Do's and Do Not's of Building a Bee Garden
DO!
Research flowers that are native to your area, some native bee species will only pollinate native species. (For more information on what to plant checkout out ‘bee-friendly plants page’).
Plant a wide variety of plants and flowers. Bees need food sources from early spring until the end of summer. Planting a variety of flowers with different flowering seasons ensures you will always have something tasty for your neighborhood pollinators.
Provide a water source for your thirsty new friends! (keep reading for a bee-bath how to).
DO NOT!
Plant invasive species
Use pesticides: using chemical treatment on your garden or lawn can greatly harm helpful pollinators.
Clear leaves and debris in the fall: Twigs and leaves are often used by pollinators as overwintering habitats!
Mow your lawn: leaving the dandelions and buttercups to blossom in early spring provides essential food sources to hungry bees after the long winter months. Waiting until June to mow is a great way to help early spring pollinators.
Building a Bee Hydration Station
All animals need water to live, including bees and other pollinators! As well as needing it to stay hydrated, bees also use water for a variety of other purposes. Firstly, water is critical for bees to maintain optional temperature and humidity in their hive. Bees also use water in brood rearing (raising their larvae), and in honey dilution, to keep it the perfect consistency for storage. For more information on why bees need water check out this article http://www.beesfordevelopment.org/documents/b/bees-need-water/.
​
What you'll need to build a super simple bee safe watering hole:
A large terracotta or ceramic flower pot with a tray
Nontoxic paint (optional)
Enough marbles or pebbles to fill the tray
------------------------
How to build:
1. Decorate or paint your pot!
2. Flip the pot upside down and put the tray upright on top (glue the pot and the tray together for added stability).
3. Add marbles to fill the tray.
4. Fill with fresh water!
5. Wait for your new bee friends to come hang out.
​
For more detailed information on how to put together a bee watering hole, check out: https://craftinvaders.co.uk/how-to-make-a-simple-bee-water-station-for-your-garden/
​