Top 5 ways to attract bees to your garden

Everyone loves bees and it is one of the most satisfying results of having beautiful garden in bloom to know that you are helping sustain such a beneficial insect population as they buzz around your plants in the summertime. Celebrating World Bee Day, the Gates gardening team are taking a look at the top 5 ways to attract bees to your garden this summer, and why it is so important for us all to support bees at this time of year. We’ll also look at some of our favourite products that celebrate bees around the home.

So, read on to discover the top five ways to attract bees to the garden and how you can celebrate bees indoors this World Bee Day, from species such as the humble Bumble bee, to Carpenter bees, Honey bees, Sweat bees and Mason bees.

Why are bees important?

Bees are essential pollinators, so this means they play a crucial role in pollinating flowering plants, helping in the reproduction of many plant species. It is estimated that one-third of the world’s food production depends on pollinators like bees. Without bees, the ecosystem and agricultural industry would suffer significantly.

But bees are under threat due to farmers using pesticides on crops which affects bee populations, exposing them to harmful chemicals, which weakens their immune systems. As well as this, there has been a global rise in mono-production of cash-crops such as rice, potatoes and corn.

This threatens the production of the bio-diverse nutritious crops, such as fruits, nuts and many vegetables which require bees for pollination and which in turn sustain bees with their nectar as well as providing nesting sites for bees. If this trend continues, it could eventually impact on our diets and overall health, so it is important to support bee populations in any way we can.

Five ways to attract bees outside

It is of vital importance that we all help sustain bee populations, in order to slow the progression of their extinction. By supporting bees in our own garden we can help to keep these amazing species alive and slow down their decline. The good news is that it’s easy to take a few easy steps which can help support bees enormously. Here are our recommendations:

1. Plant bee friendly flowers

Bee-keepers and scientists agree that the lack of variation in garden plants and flowers which results in not enough food is the most significant reason for decreasing the numbers of bees and butterflies.

Bees are attracted to a variety of flowers, especially those rich in nectar and pollen. By planting bee and butterfly friendly plants and bulbs you can create not only a haven for pollinating insects, but also a pretty flowering garden . You also contribute to reversing the decline in the bee and butterfly population.

Choose plants that produce an abundance of flowers, such as Lavender, Dahlias, Gladioli, Freesias, Borage and other wild flowers. It is important to plant a diverse range of flowering plants to provide a continuous source of food throughout the seasons. We sell ready-prepared seed and bulb mixes for bee and butterfly-friendly blooms, which are designed specifically to sustain pollinators in the garden.

2. Avoid pesticides

Minimise or eliminate the use of pesticides in your garden as they can be harmful to bees and other pollinators. Instead, practice natural pest control methods such as companion planting, attracting beneficial insects, or using organic pest control products when necessary. Try to avoid using pesticides on open flowers.

Alternativley, we have a good range of pesticide-free plant feeds and sprays which are kind to bees and suitable for those practising organic gardening.

Vitax Plant Guard is a ready to use spray that provides effective results against bugs and diseases while being gentle on the environment and is safe for bees. This natural and organic solution works by physical action providing protection against aphids, spider mites and powdery mildew. After drying, it creates a residual barrier to limit spore germination.

Miracle-Gro Nourish & Protect for Flowers, Fruit and Vegetables feeds plants with all the nutrients they need while simultaneously protecting them from slugs and snails. This dual-benefit, pesticide-free formula consists of organic plant feed as well as natural lava rocks that, when placed around each plant, prevent slugs and snails from eating the fruits and foliage.

Westland Growing Success Bug Stop is a pesticide-free spray that controls and protects against common garden bugs. This can be used all year round, indoors and out, for safer control of aphids, greenfly, blackfly, whitefly, spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects. This organic spray works from within the plant to improve its natural defences resulting in passive and natural deterrence.

3. Provide nesting sites

Some bee species nest in the ground, while others prefer cavities like hollow stems or small holes in wood. Leave a patch of bare, undisturbed soil or create bee nesting sites like bee hotels, or bee houses, which are wooden structures with drilled holes or bundles of hollow stems. These provide shelter for solitary bees to lay their eggs and rear their young.

We have a great selection of bee and insect houses available, from the Tom Chambers Bee Log which is a natural log which comes with pre-drilled cavities providing a natural and warm habitat for nesting bees, to the the pretty Tom Chambers Bee Love Heart which is a wooden heart framed around a collection of bamboo canes with a log bark outer layer for a truly rustic look.

The Pollinating Company Bee House by Wildlife World is made from metal and comes with a lovely decorative wood effect to help it blend into any garden. The lid will also deter predator attack, which is particularly important during hibernation months.

4. Create a water source

Bees need access to water, especially on hot days. The best way to achieve this is to provide a shallow water source in your garden, such as a bird bath. We sell an elegant range of bird baths which will not only help hydrate bees, but will also make a stunning focal point in the garden. With a choice of styles from charming bird baths featuring animals, or handsome tall bird baths in a range of colours and finishes, you’ll easily find a bird bath which makes an effective statement display in a garden.

5. Maintain blooming seasons

Aim to have a garden that offers flowers throughout the different seasons. Plant a mix of early, mid, and late blooming flowers to provide a consistent food source for bees from spring to autumn. Initiatives such as “no mow May” and “let it bloom June” can help by allowing weeds and flowers to flourish by leaving the lawnmower in the shed and alllowing nature to flourish on your lawn. By ensuring a continuous supply of nectar and pollen, you can attract and support bees throughout their active period.

If you don’t have a garden, and would prefer to celebrate bees around the home, then read on.

Best ways to celebrate bees around the home

At Gates we love bees and are always on the look out for products which celebrate these wonderful pollinators. As it is World Bee Day, now is a good time to provide a fun round up of our favourite Bee products available in the Garden Centre, which are perfect either to have around the house or to make wonderful gifts for bee-lovers.

The Just Slate Company Gold Bee Spoons are a fully on-trend combination of bees and gold highlights. They can be used as coffee or tea spoons or to serve jams and preserves. A unique and thoughtful gift with both contemporary and vintage appeal that everyone is sure to love.

The Marmalade White Nectarine & Honey range includes a Glass Candle, a Tin Candle and a Reed Diffuser, which all feature the mouth-watering scent of juicy white nectarines and sweet Manuka honey. These stylish products are all crafted in Britain using essential oils.

A simple yet stunning addition to any home, the framed Bee print by Voyage Maison is perfect for adding colour and visual appeal in an instant. Painted by their in-house designers, this mounted print is ideal for adding a touch of luxury to a living room or a guest bedroom.

The fantastic Smart Solar Solar Bug Light is an adorable bee design with a warm white LED light. Four copper LEDs are used to create this stunning small feature light, which charge in direct sunlight and has the solar panel cleverly disguised in the ball part of the body. Ideal to use alongside a variety of other solar lights such as string lights and starburst to create a beautiful feature in any outside space.

Add a subtle hint of glamour and luxury to your home with the Voyage Maison Layla Velvet Cushion in teal. Made from velvet and stuffed full of duck feathers, this cushion is soft to the touch and will breathe life into any room. The bee in the centre is embroidered in a stunning gold shade which gives this soft furnishing an extra eye-catching quality.

Even your pooch can celebrate World Bee Day this year. Keep them looking good while feeling warm & protected from the weather in the stylish and light weight Khaki Bee Rain Jacket Water Resistant Dog Coat from Joules.

Summary

By implementing the top 5 ways to attract bees to your garden, you can create an inviting environment for bees, supporting their population and promoting pollination of your plants. You will also get immense pleasure from knowing you are helping to halt the decline of these amazing insects and can take part in celebrating these valuable insects this World Bee Day. If you have any questions about the top 5 ways you can attract bees to your garden, then you can visit our gardening team instore or contact us on 01664 454309. Alternatively you can shop our Gardening or Home Living departments online.