With all the buzz surrounding the peril Honey bee confront — from pesticides to mite infestations — it ’s no wonder they ’re often cited as a pollinator superstar . Without Honey bees , one - third of the foods we run through would not be . But the Honey bee , which was introduced to American shore in the 1600 , is n’t native to our continent and afterward struggles to see pasture in certain regions of our country at certain times of year .
Other pollinators , such as the humblebee , hoverfly and many varieties of wasp , also have difficulty discover forage and habitat when gardens are converted to lawn , and those lawns are managed with pesticides , weed - killers and other chemicals .
So what ’s the humble nurseryman , homeowner or bug - buff to do ? How do we give our local bee the goods they require ? A great place to start is to plant fruits , herbs and wildflowers that attract pollinators to your farm or garden and manage them free of chemicals . Diversity is cardinal to draw bees and other pollinators , and while more is good , a minimum of 10 different flora is a great beginning . By providing forage diversity , you ensure pollination of your Johnny Cash crops , supply host plants and nesting situation , and create a beautiful , healthy landscape .
FruitsPollinators , especially Honey bees , love yield trees . You ’ll discover them seethe all over fruits from carefully manicured orchards to wild roadside bramble , and the dear produced from fruit tree nectar is godlike . The trick is to bring home the bacon enough of a exclusive species to make it worth the bees ’ while . A universal rule of ovolo is to plant a clip-clop of one bush - fruit salmagundi at least 3 feet in diameter . If planting fruit trees , consider at least two tree of the same variety in improver to some herbs and wildflowers .
Here are fruits that both you and your bees will surely relish :
HerbsBees love the aromatic blossom that herbs institutionalize up . For the home gardener or husbandman , the tough part is sit down back and allowing your herbaceous plant to bolt and flower . Plant a few spear carrier of each of your favorite herbs for the bees so you may go on your own harvest through the season . Once herbs flower , the leaves tend to miss the bold flavor you fuck , so glean some early and preserve the leaves for future culinary use , and let the rest go to seed and prime .
The following herbs are some tried - and - lawful favorite for bees and home - cooks alike :
WildflowersIf you have an idle field on your farm or a sunny box of your grounds that does n’t get much traffic , convert it to a bee haven by plant flower . Wildflowers are easy and cheap to imbed from ejaculate and search beautiful anywhere they take etymon .
The follow wildflower intermixture include multi - season bloomers , ensuring your local pollinator have something blossom in spring , summertime and dip . Plus , the different conformation and colors draw a variety of beneficial insects and the grasses provide habitat for bumblebee nest .
Do n’t Forget WaterWith your seeds scattered and your plants in place , there ’s one thing left to offer : piddle . bee involve water just as you and I do . In your pollinator habitat , bring home the bacon a coherent body of water seed : a birdbath with carefully commit rocks ( for the safe landing place of tiny bee leg ) is the perfect vessel for the job .
