The Bee's KNEES

INTRODUCING A FREE GARDENING APP DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS AROUND BEES

Bees are an essential part of an ecosystem and responsible for the pollination of about a third of our food crops and many of southern Africa’s indigenous plant species. What can we do, as individuals, to create a sustainable environment for bees and their needs?

Candide’s #PolliNationSA movement encourages gardening enthusiasts to plant flowers, vegetables, herbs, fruit and trees for bees, and aims to recruit a minimum of 100 000 South Africans to become pollinators or VIPs – very important pollinators. “Early spring is a busy time for most bees,” explains Candide’s market lead, Shani Krige. “After winter they start foraging extensively, and plants and flowers in your garden will provide the resources they need.”

The free Candide app offers expertise on all things bee-friendly and is the place where you’ll find all the information you need to create a bee-friendly garden – as well as inspiration and knowledge about all things plant and garden related.

CREATING A BEE- FRIENDLY GARDEN

•Allow vegetables and herbs to flower by adding a few extra plants or seeds. Bees love the flowers of rocket, fennel and carrot – to name a few.

•Be diverse. Plant as many different flowering herbs, plants, shrubs and trees as possible.

•Make sure your garden has one or a few water sources that are friendly to bees. They need to have a place to sit where they can reach the water, so consider placing a large rock inside your birdbath or fill a shallow tray with pebbles.

•Avoid pesticides and chemicals. Rather try natural ways of fighting off pests – such as neem oil, soap, garlic and Epsom salts.

• The indigenous Cape-forgetme-not produces brilliant blue blooms, is easy to grow and attract bees and butterflies.

•The tiny flowers of the Alyssum are honey-scented and attract bees in their numbers.

Join the #PolliNationSA movement

� Download the free Candide app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

� Snap a pic of a beefriendly plant or flower that you’re growing.

� Share the pic on the Candide app using the hashtag #PolliNationSA.

� Once posted, you’ll receive a #PolliNationSA sticker that will be added to your Candide profile pic confirming your pollinator status. You will also be able to view a countrywide map showing the growing movement as more bee ambassadors create beefriendly spaces throughout our country.

FOR MORE INFO www.candide.co.za; W @candideappza