plan & plant a bee-friendly garden - The Diggers Club · 2018-05-09 · plan & plant a bee-friendly...
Transcript of plan & plant a bee-friendly garden - The Diggers Club · 2018-05-09 · plan & plant a bee-friendly...
plan & plant a bee-friendly garden
Six top tips for attracting bees to your garden.There are many reasons to lay out the welcome mat for bees in your garden and it really is as easy as offering food, shelter and water throughout the year.
As primary pollinators, bees are a vital part of both the human and animal food chains, and an integral link in a healthy, happy garden. Across the world, bees have become vulnerable due to urbanisation and loss of habitat, the overuse of pesticides and modern agricultural practises.
One of the best things we can all do for bees, is grow our own food, no matter where we live. And of course to do that, we need to attract these hard-working little pollinators into our gardens.
Here are our top tips for getting your own backyard buzzing…
1PLANT BEE
ATTRACTING PLANTSBees are on the hunt for pollen and it’s so simple for you to provide it. Scatter a variety of wildflowers to
ensure a good supply of pollen through warmer months or you can plant a
selection of bee attracting perennials, bulbs and herbs. Honey bees forage
all year, but most native bees take a break
mid-winter.
2 PROVIDE HABITAT & WATERWhile honeybees live in colonies and hives, most bee species nest
underground or in natural cavities. Make sure your garden provides some basic protected habitat or include an insect house. And don’t forget the water. Place bowls of shallow water around the garden and include a rock
or landing place in the bowl to enable, bees to
drink safely.
3REDUCE PESTICIDE USE
Most pesticides are broad acting, so the more organic your garden, the better it is for all beneficial insects including bees. Exclusion netting is a great way to protect
crops without the need for harmful sprays. Also try companion planting
– it’s a natural way to reduce pests in your garden.
4 LET YOUR VEGGIES BOLT
Seeding plants are a bee’s best friend. All that food gives the
bees a chance to bulk up to survive the colder months and make it to spring. It might look messy
to an amateur eye, but a healthy garden has a few leafy vegetables
bolting after harvest – and you get to save some of
the seed.
5GET TO KNOW THE LOCALS
There are many different types of bees; some local to your area,
some to your state, others to Australia, as well as several
introduced species. Stop and take the time to learn which bees are
visiting your garden. It’s important to know the difference that
you can offer suitable accommodation.
6BECOME A BEEKEEPER
Urban and backyard beekeeping is in the midst of a revival as we all
come to understand the importance of bees in our food cycle and the role
that domesticated honeybees can play in pollinating crops and gardens.
If you can’t have a hive yourself, support local beekeepers by
buying honey directly from them.
Position: Full sunSize: 40cm x 10cmFlowers: Water: Drought-tolerant
Cornflower ‘Dwarf Blue’
code: SWcod
Position: Full sunSize: 100cm x 25cmFlowers: Water: Seasonal
Dill
Position: Full sunSize: 120cm x 50cmFlowers: Water: Seasonal
Zinnia ‘Queen Red Lime’
Position: Full sunSize: 8cm x 6cmFlowers: Water: Seasonal
Meadow Daisy
Position: Full sunSize: 120cm x 30cmFlowers: Water: Drought-tolerant
Cosmos ‘Pinkie’
code: S858
code: S312code: S869code: S523
Position: Full sun/part shadeSize: 40cm x 10cmFlowers: Water: Drought-tolerant
Chives ‘Common’
code: S3061
Annuals
Annual flowers
germinate, flower, set seed
and die all within a single
year. These plants have
a short life but more than
make up for it in their
floral display. They live by
the mantra live hard,
die young!
Position: Full sunSize: 50cm x 5cmFlowers: August – OctoberWater: Drought-tolerant
Anemone ‘Diggers’
code: BASc20
Position: Full sunSize: 40cm x 10cmFlowers: July – AugustWater: Drought-tolerant
Daffodil ‘Earlicheer’
Position: Full sunSize: 10cm x 5cmFlowers: February – MarchWater: Drought-tolerant
Saffron Crocus
Position: Full sunSize: 30cm x 5cmFlowers: September – NovemberWater: Drought-tolerant
Ranunculus ‘Pastel Shades Mix’
Position: Full sunSize: 100cm x 5cmFlowers: October – NovemberWater: Drought-tolerant
Allium ‘Giant White’
Position: Full Sun/Part ShadeSize: 15cm x 80cmFlowers: September – OctoberWater: Drought-tolerant
Freesia ‘Alba’
code: BSAc3code: BRdG20
code: BdAeR10code: BALcocode: BFRRe40
Bulbs
Bulbs are a vital food
source for both native and
honey bees. Rich in nectar,
bulbs offer autumn, winter,
spring and summer food
supplies. Suited to pots as well
as garden beds, bulbs are
perfect for gardens
of all sizes.
Perennials are the
mainstay of the bee garden,
flowering for several months
and providing ample
opportunity for pollen and
nectar collection which is
vital for feeding the colony
and helping it to reproduce.
Position: Full sunSize: 100cm x 50cmFlowers: October – AprilWater: Drought-tolerant
Agastache ‘Pink Fortune’
code: PAGcP
Position: Full sunSize: 300cm x 150cmFlowers: October – NovemberWater: Drought-tolerant
Echium ‘Silver Pink’
Position: Full sunSize: 200cm x 45cmFlowers: November – AprilWater: Drought-tolerant
Verbena Bonariensis
Position: Full sunSize: 60cm x 60cmFlowers: October – NovemberWater: Drought-tolerant
Catmint ‘Giant’
Position: Full sunSize: 50cm x 50cmFlowers: November – MarchWater: Drought-tolerant
Achillea ‘Hella Glashoff’
Position: Full sunSize: 40cm x 30cmFlowers: December – AprilWater: Drought-tolerant
Salvia ‘Mystic Spires’
code: PVeBcode: PcATU
code: WecHPcode: PAcHGcode: PSAMY
Perennials
Position: Full sunSize: 60cm x 60cmFlowers: Water: Seasonal
Mint
code: PMoM
Position: Full sunSize: 30cm x 25cmFlowers: Water: Seasonal
Sage
Position: Full sunSize: 60cm x 30cmFlowers: Water: Seasonal
Lemon Balm
Position: Full sunSize: 80cm x 40cmFlowers: December – MarchWater: Seasonal
Borage ‘Blue’
Position: full sunSize: 150cm x 80cmFlowers: October – JanuaryWater: Drought-tolerant
Rosemary ‘Tuscan Blue’
code: S314
code: S324code: S3051code: PRoT
Position: Full sunSize: 120cm x 50cmFlowers: Water: Seasonal
Bergamot ‘Panorama’
code: S330
Herbs
Popular companion
plants, bees love the
flowering phase of many
herbs. Fortunately for your
bees, herbs usually help
to bridge the gap between
flowering seasons of more
popular flowering plants.
For more information
and ideas for attracting
beneficial insects to
your garden visit
Diggers.com.au