Bees are essential to our ecosystem. They are such prolific pollinators that we can thank them for a great majority of the plants and trees throughout the world. Without bees, the plants that humans and animals depend on for food, shade, and shelter would not be able to grow and our food sources would become nonexistent. This is the reason why we all need to support bees by planting gardens that help them thrive.
Attract bees with the right blossoms.
Luckily, Central Florida has a long growing season, so you can enjoy enticing bees with their favorite blossoms practically year-round!
Summon bees throughout the seasons. Grow a variety of flowers in your landscape that bloom at different times. Doing this will keep bees attracted to your landscape month after month unless Jack Frost pays a visit.
Go native! Growing plants that are native to Central Florida is the best way to attract bees. Not only will these flowers provide bees with the proper nutrition they need to survive, they require minimal maintenance to be healthy and beautiful. However, feel free to incorporate a few non-native plants to your garden, too, because they will still offer bees some of the nutrients they crave when your native plants are in-between flowering cycles.
Make it easy for them. Bees are busy! By grouping the plants in clumps, the bees will not have to expend so much energy flying from flower to flower.
Grow it and they will come. Gardens that use ten or more species of bee-preferred plants are usually the most effective. To be sure you are incorporating these kinds of flora in your landscape, go to your local nursery and take your time walking among the plants keeping your eyes peeled for the ones that are being visited by bees right there in front of you. However, a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that bees are attracted to blue, yellow, and purple flowers.
Make your garden wholly satisfying. Bees need pollen and nectar to flourish. Be sure to grow both types of flowers, so bees are getting the best of both worlds from your garden.
Absolutely NO pesticides! Do not use any poisons in your garden. While your intention to kill only nuisance insects, your efforts will result in bees and other pollinators dropping dead. Even worse, the poisoned bees that make it back to their hive could sicken the entire colony including the queen. If you need to control unwanted bugs, be smart by using natural methods and other techniques that are not harmful to bees and other beneficial insects.
Bees get thirsty, too! A proper bee garden has shallow puddles throughout, so the bees can light on the water to get a drink. To accomplish this, place ceramic dishes or clay saucers on the ground around or between the plants and make sure they always contain a small amount of water. This is not hard to do since you will need to keep your bee buffet watered, too. It helps to set your irrigation system to turn on in the early morning hours to give the plants the moisture they need to be perky for the bees.
When you cater to bees, you are welcoming all wildlife!
Growing a bee garden is rewarding for more ways than one. Not only are you helping the local ecology by aiding bees, but many other types of wildlife and beneficial insects will frequent your landscape. Before you know it, you will have a plethora of bees, butterflies, birds, dragonflies, and a host of other kinds of pollinators flitting throughout your lovely garden!
Remember that it is imperative that you water your bee garden regularly. If you ever need assistance with sprinkler repair or irrigation in the Orlando area, give us a buzz! We are always happy to answer your questions and do all we can to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.