July 8th

By Mutt Mulligan

The buzz about bees: 5 planting tips from TurfMutt

As TurfMutt has shared time and again, nature starts in our own backyards. That’s why it is important for us to consider bees when we’re planting and tending to our family yards. After all, bees are the most important pollinator of food crops! Even if you live in an apartment with a balcony or have a very small yard, there are things you can do to help support pollinators.

Select plants high in pollen & nectar. Simple, open flowers like roses are typically more attractive for bees who rely on nectar and pollen for survival than ornamental plants with lots of petals.

Plant a variety of shapes. Different bee species have different tongue lengths. If you plant a wide variety of flower shapes it will not only add visual interest to you living landscape, it will also support a number of foraging preferences for pollinators.

Plant with longevity in mind. Plan your garden so you have flowers as long as seasonally possible. This will ensure bees are taken care of no matter what time of year they visit your yard.

Provide water. Bees not only need water for hydration, they also use it to air condition their honey comb home. Your water source doesn’t need to be fancy. Just a simple bowl with a landing spot in the form of floating corks, rocks or twigs will suffice.

Plant herbs. This one is good for small spaces. Including herbs in your garden or patio containers are great for bees, especially when you let them flower.

To learn more about the importance of our living landscapes for pollinators, people, the planet and pets, go to SaveLivingLandscapes.com.