I recently received an email which I have copied below for you to read,
Hi
Just following up on my recent article offer. I’d still love to write for
you about the importance of bees and what we can do to help them.
I love this time of year because my local farmer’s market is overflowing
with fresh fruits and veggies and beautiful flowers, but without bees, we
wouldn’t have any of it.
Please help me spread the word about the important role bees play in our
food production and how we can protect them in our own backyards.
Thank you!
Christy
Christy Erickson
It was really nice to have someone outside of Grantham District showing an interest in the blog so I jumped at Christy's offer and below is her first (but hopefully not last!!) article. The article isn't necessarily aimed at beekeepers but I think learning how you can help the bees even without having hives is of the utmost importance and often the first step many of us beekeepers took!! There are also some great links within the article to check out too.
Thank you Christy for choosing Grantham Beekeepers to help you spread the word!!
Beekeeping
for the Shaded Landscaping
Anemones, a
pollen-producing perennial for the shade garden, via Pixabay
You just purchased a new home and you’re excited to work in the garden
and make it your own. Knowing that bee populations are imperiled, perhaps you
want to do your part and create a bee-friendly atmosphere. But where do you
begin?
As a refresher, here are the amazing things bees do for us:
●
They’re essential to nature, pollinating 75-80%
of the flowering plants on the earth.
●
They’re essential to our human food supply; some
scientists estimate that one in three bites of food is the result of various
pollinators.
●
The bees make honey, which is delicious and has
nutritional and health benefits.
Causes for
Decline
Several causes
for global decline of the bees come into play such as pesticide use, industrial
agricultural practices, parasites, and global warming. Bee Colony Collapse
Disorder, a confusing, mysterious syndrome that affected many bee colonies in
the U.S. in years past, is not as much of a concern as it once was.
How to
Help
There are a few ways
in which all of us can help the bees.
●
Plant a pollinator garden. This would include
planting pollen-producing plants, planting in a location that breaks the wind,
grouping native or non-invasive plants together, planting year-round color and perennials,
and making sure you have adequate moisture.
●
Buy honey (and other meat and produce) from
farmers in your area to support local agriculture.
●
Consider becoming a beekeeper. Many resources
can easily be found online.
●
Commit to taking a holistic, organic approach to
your lawn. Find alternatives to pesticides.
By making your garden, or even part of it, a
haven for bees, you can do wonders for their populations and have beautiful
scenery to boot.