“If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live.” – Albert Einstein
According to recent studies, natural homes for bees are dwindling due to our ever-expanding population and urban spread. Due to the steady destruction of natural vegetation and bee foraging sources, as well as the overuse of pesticides and herbicides, there has been a gradual decline in bee populations around the globe. Bees provide a vital service to the food chain and the future of the planet as we know it by pollinating the plants that produce much of the food we eat. Healthy honeybee colonies are, in fact, vital for our future food security and planting bee-friendly gardens contribute to increasing bee numbers and varieties, thereby preserving wildlife and ourselves.
Even small townhouse and balcony gardens can help by providing a small but valuable feeding station for bees in an urban environment.
Do your part to make your garden more attractive to bees by following these tips:
Choosing plants
Certain plants are more attractive to bees than others. A study by the SA National Biodiversity Institute revealed that eucalyptus trees, sunflowers, canola, citrus, lucerne, as well as indigenous trees and shrubs, flowering plants and wildflowers are critically important in order for honeybees to build strong colonies.
Indigenous trees recommended by beekeepers are sweet thorn, karee, bush willows, weeping wattle and tree fuchsia.
Indigenous plants that bees love include agapanthus, aloes, asparagus fern, Cape violets, clivia, euryops daisy, felicia, gazania, carpet geranium, ribbon bush, lion’s ear, osteospermum, butterfly bush, Cape honeysuckle and vygies.
Many attractive non-indigenous plants also produce an abundance of nectar. These include alyssum, aster, calendula, forget-me-not, iris, nepeta, hollyhock, Michaelmas daisies, lavender, poppies, primula, salvia, sedum, sunflower and zinnia. For a herb garden, plant borage, chives, fennel, mint, marjoram, oregano, rosemary and thyme.
Group large patches of a single species of flower together
Bees like a diversity in bee-friendly flowers but it’s also essential to plant at least one square metre of the same type of plant together. If your plant choice is limited by space constrictions, choose plants with blue and yellow flowers as bees prefer these colours. Also, choose scented flowers over unscented ones.
Go wild
Bees prefer a less manicured, more random garden. It is also important to allow weeds to grow and flower in your garden. Flowering weeds are very important food sources for bees, such as dandelions, clovers, chickweed, milkweed, and goldenrod.
Keep your garden blooming all year round
Pick plants with long blooming cycles or flowers that bloom at different times so that you have pollen and nectar sources throughout the year.
Fresh water source
Bees need access to fresh, clean water. Sink shallow pans of water in your garden and create a bee bath making sure to fill the pan with pebbles, twigs, or even wine corks for the bees to land on while drinking. Make sure to keep the container topped up so that the bees know they can return to the same spot every day.
No pesticides or other chemicals
Do not use insecticides and make sure that you check that your seeds or plants are not laced with pesticides when you purchase them.
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Humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers Foundation, have launched a drought relief campaign called the Water for Cape Town Project to assist Cape Town in preparation for Day Zero.
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Schools around South Africa are helping to make the country a cleaner, greener place to live and Bergvliet Primary School has received a huge pat on the back for it’s part in significantly boosting it’s collection rate of recyclable material.
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