36
The Reporter May 2022
Farm & Easy Ways To Make Your Garden Bee Friendly
Bringing you fresh, locally grown seasonal blooms via our farmstand and CSA shares.
• Vinyasa Flow w/Gretchen Every Sat. @ 10am -weather permitting-
• All About Dahlias Workshop & Design 9/18/22 •Watch for Pop-up yoga classes with Joanne and UPICK events! *Thanks to a grant from the Rehoboth Cultural Council- the following are free!...
• IPhone Photography Class 7/11 @10am • Photography Class 8/1 @5pm Registration is required for all workshops!
We can’t wait to share our blooms with you.
www.brilliantdahlia.com
Bees are crucial for our survival and the planet overall. However, due to things like habitat destruction and invasive farming methods, some say the bee population is plummeting. Luckily you can help them by turning your garden into a bee-friendly habitat that can enable them to survive - and thrive. So, keep reading as we explore how you can do your bit for the planet just by making a few adjustments in the garden…
Why are bees so important?
Most of us see bees as cute, fuzzy insects that buzz around during the spring and summer and occasionally need a helping hand with some sugar water. What we often forget is that bees are a vital part of our complex ecosystem. We rely on their pollination for many things we consume on a day-to-day basis, such as fruit and vegetables, oils, fibres - and even medicine. It’s estimated that about 90% of flowering plants rely mostly on pollinators (including bees) to reproduce. So, since they play such a large part in plant survival, let›s consider the indirect effects of a declining bee population. Plants pollinated by bees and other pollinating insects increase seed production and help boost species decline. As a result, they help produce the oxygen we breathe and absorb CO2. What›s more, the animals fed by these pollinated plants produce dairy and protein sources. Considering all this, could you imagine what the world would be like without bees? Ways you can help the bee population:
Plant the right flowers
One of the best things you can do to provide for bees in your garden is to be selective about the kind of plants, shrubs and trees you cultivate. Bees love plants with single, open flowers that are easy to collect pollen from. A lot of annual and seasonal bedding plants and flowers are ideal for them, so why not buy some seeds and get the whole family involved in seed sowing? Some ideal bee-friendly plants include: coneflower, Lavender, Cosmos, Catmint, Chives, Sunflower, Dahlia, Foxgloves, Honeysuckle, Nasturtium. Don’t forget about trees and shrubs - bees love Darwin’s barberry, Buddleia, Hydrangea, Apple trees, Flowering currant and Pussy willow. If you’re not sure about what to plant and at which time of year, head to your local gardening centre or nursery for advice. Alternatively, if you already have bee-friendly plants and shrubs, why not exchange cuttings or divisions with your friends or neighbours?
