Spring Into Action and Get Your Garden Bee-Ready

It is the time of year all gardeners have been waiting for – a blank canvas to plan and put together their favorite plants and flowers and help bees and other pollinators stay nice and healthy! Gardeners are ready to spring into action and get those gardens ready everywhere! If you are new to bee conservation efforts or starting a new garden this spring, here are some tricks and tips to help make your personal space beautiful and offer bees easy access to food and water.

Embrace Your Space This Spring

Space is the most significant factor when it comes to what goes in the garden. Everyone, no matter what size they work with, can plant beautiful flowering plants that are desirable for bees and other pollinators. When choosing this spring's flowers and plants, choose native plants because local bees already have a successful working relationship with them. Avoid anything that requires pesticides and stick to organic bug control so that bees don’t take anything toxic back to the hive on their feet.

Choosing long-flowering species helps sustain the pollen and nectar sources for bees later in the season. Gardeners tend to be adventurous when planting each year, keeping some tried and true plants but also wanting to see what else they can master in their space. When choosing new native flowers and plants, remember that bees like blues, whites, yellows, and violet colors best. Anything that flowers will be a welcome source to honeybees since they don’t hibernate and will come as soon as those blooms show up!

Small Spaces and Big Spaces

Whether you're planting a rooftop, community, magazine-worthy, or wild garden this spring, there are plenty of choices for trees, plants, and flowers. Wildflowers are an easy way to provide beauty and food quickly, so sow those wildflower seeds early. Now is an ideal time to get those wildflower seeds in the ground. The natural showers on their way will help get those nice and wet and help them along without your intervention.

Those who prefer a meticulous and perfectly manicured garden may have space to the side or in an open field where wildflowers can be planted without interfering with your aesthetic goals. Bees don’t like to travel too far for food and water but will make routine trips to easy sources.

If you are planting a rooftop garden this year, you can create a pollinator-friendly space that you, the bees, and butterflies enjoy. Some things to consider when working in a smaller space are height, bloom time, water requirements, and ground cover. Many experienced gardeners who work in rooftop and balcony spaces prefer to go vertical rather than horizontal in their planting choices.

Depending on the area where you live, bees may be solitary or social, so understanding where they nest is helpful in creating a successful garden plan.

Water for the Plants and Bees

Spring calls for seeds, plants, and flowers that require water. Choosing what to plant often depends on the availability of the area where a person lives. Locations where drought limits water, whether in quantity or high cost, should be thoughtful when choosing their garden members for this year. Water is a precious resource, and like all living things, bees also need plenty of it!

Bees can collect water from plants in the garden from the morning dew, but additional water sources can easily be provided to ensure they get all they need. As the months get hotter, being mindful about having water out for bees is an easy way to give them a helping hand in your garden space. Placing a water source in their flight path allows them to sniff it out and return to it throughout the spring and summer.