01/20/2026
BEES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR GARDENS
As you plan for your garden this spring and pick out your heirloom seeds, consider adding some herbs or flowers specifically to attract, feed, and support our precious bees. Bees play a crucial role in our gardens, and every plant helps in their survival.
Many of your vegetables depend on bees for pollination. Without them, vegetables like okra, beans, squash, cucumbers, and many more won’t produce fruit or seeds. Unfortunately, we are losing a significant percentage of our bee population due to the widespread use of pesticides on commercial farms, as well as the loss of the natural habitats they rely on.
Bees have tiny hairs on their bodies and legs. When they land on a flower, pollen sticks to these hairs, and as they move to another flower, they transfer the pollen, completing the pollination process. This is essential for the growth of many garden vegetables. Without this, your plants won’t set fruit, and that would be bad news for your garden.
How to Attract Bees to Your Garden:
Don’t Use Pesticides
Pesticides are harmful to beneficial insects like bees, as they aren’t selective. Instead, try growing organically and using companion plants to help repel pests naturally.
Use More Native Plants
Native plants are four times more attractive to native bees. They are also better suited to your local growing conditions and require less maintenance. Heirloom herbs and perennials are great options for attracting pollinators.
Choose Several Flower Colors
Bees have excellent color vision and are particularly attracted to flowers in blue, purple, violet, white, and yellow. Including a variety of these colors will help draw bees to your garden.
Plant Flowers in Clumps
Bees are more attracted to clumps of flowers of the same species. This makes it easier for them to gather nectar and pollen, increasing the chances of pollination.
Provide a Diversity of Plants That Flower Year-Round
Bees feed on a range of plants throughout their life cycle. To support different species of bees that fly at different times, plant a variety of flowers that bloom in spring, summer, and fall.
Plant in Bee-Friendly Locations
Bees prefer sunny spots and need some shelter from strong winds. Make sure to plant your flowers in places where they can thrive and be easily accessible to the bees.
Also, when those dandelions pop up in the spring, resist the urge to mow or spray them right away. They are one of the first sources of food for bees after a long winter and provide essential sustenance until other flowers start to bloom.
By making these small changes in your garden, you’re not only helping bees, but you’re also ensuring a thriving, pollinator-friendly garden that benefits everyone! 🐝🌻🌿