For Gardeners

Native plant gardenWe have received so much positive feedback from customers who can't believe how easy it is to attract native bees to their Better Bee Houses, and who are constantly surprised at just how entertaining it is to watch them nest! We often hear that their plants are more vigorous, and their gardens and orchards have become vastly more productive now that native bees are pollinating for them.

Here are some tips that will enhance your garden by making your bees very, very happy:

• Plant flowers and trees that are native to your area, since native pollinators prefer them four to one over non-native plants, which typically have very little food value.  Native plants also resist bugs and disease with little maintenance and zero danger to pets or humans.
• Don't use synthetic chemicals!  You'll end up killing a lot more than you ever intended to.
• Don't use mulch or black plastic for weed prevention.  Over 70% of native bees (including bumblebees) nest in the ground and can't possibly excavate through inches of mulch or plastic, and then have energy left to dig their nesting tunnels.  Try to keep at least 50% of your yard a plastic and mulch-free zone.  
• Bees and other pollinators are drawn to flowers that are blue, purple, violet, white and yellow colors, and they love herbs!
• Provide early-blooming shrubs like pussy willow, dogwood, crocus, red bud and vibernum, and fruit trees such as peach, pear, apple and European plum.
• Plant large, 3-4 foot patches of like flowers in close proximity to one another.
• Grow a variety of different plants because flowers of different shapes and colors attract different bee species.
• Plant flowers that bloom successively over the spring, summer, and fall seasons in order to provide pollen and nectar resources for native bees of all seasons. As some plants die out, others will take their place to ensure ongoing attractiveness to seasonal bees.
• Make sure your bees have a source of water, and mud nearby to build their nests!