Winter months are often the times when gardeners plan ahead for their coming growing season. During these frigid North Country days and nights, hope springs eternal in that process of planning! So why not consider adding a “bee-friendly” garden to your 2015 plans?
The “Bee Crew” shown here from New England Grows, offered up some valuable insight to the value of bees in our natural environment, Did you know that bees are an integral element of nature for the human diet? A University of Maine study suggests our food supply in jeopardy withithout bees. Did you know that many of our local food crops such as apples, blueberries cucumbers, pumpkins, squashes and a host of others depend on bees for adequate pollination? As they forage for nectar and pollen, they assist plants produce seeds and fruits for reproduction! So you see, it is not just about honey! Loss of habitats for bees and extensive use of pesticides in our environment have weakened or killed our local bee population.
Armed with this information you as a home gardener can design bee friendly gardens that can help support our bees. And in turn, many other unique and colorful pollinators will follow. As with bird friendly environments, bees need food water and a sunny place to nest and repopulate. Creating an outdoor living space with diverse plants that attract and support bee life cycles is both environmentally friendly and a joy to observe.
Consider spring flowering trees such as apple, cherry, plum, and azaleas to get your season off the ground. Even the spring flower of the little crocus and violet plant will attract bees. Mid season your roses, spirea and hydrangea shrubs welcome bees. I always try to add blazing star and cone-flower to my bee friendly perennial offerings. For naturalized areas bee-balm is a great selection for attracting pollinators. And I always add some marigolds to my annual displays. The summersweet is my favorite region hardy shrub for late season attraction. For perennials I use the tall phlox and rudbeckia, aka black eyed Susans.
This list is by no means exhaustive on this subject, just a means to start you thinking. During the growing season I will be offering workshops and tips @ Dehn’s Garden Center in Saratoga Springs on the subject. My Kids Go Green project this season will focus on creating pollinator/habitat gardens as outdoor hands-on learning experience for kids. So keep an eye out over the next few months for these local opportunities to encourage both “sensible and sustainable” gardening.
