Episode 6: Supporting Honeybees and Native Pollinators

Options for supporting bees without the ability to keep a hive, or before jumping into installing an apiary

Why are bees important?
Honeybees and native pollinators travel from flower to flower for pollen and nectar which they bring back to the hive. During this process they transfer pollen attached to the hairs on the legs between the flowers. This pollen transfer is what fertilizes a crop’s reproductive system creating food. Without pollination and bees, there would be far less food. Native and wild plants would also go unpollinated resulting in a major lack of food for wildlife, thus collapsing entire ecosystems.

Why are bee numbers declining?
According to USDA, “​​​​Beginning in 2006, experts noted significant yearly declines in honey bee colonies...  Years of research determined the decline was likely attributable to a wide range of stressors such as pests, diseases, pesticides, pollutants/toxins, nutritional deficits, habitat loss, effects of climate variability, agricultural production intensification, reduced species or genetic diversity, and pollinator or crop management practices.”
Source

Plant bee friendly trees

• Provide more forage for bees in a smaller space
• Example: Crepe Myrtles, Serviceberries, Maples, Fruiting trees, Black Locust
  • Resources:
    https://www.arborday.org/trees/health/pests/article-trees-for-bees.cfm

Embrace weeds, wildflowers and prairie spaces

• Native wild growth perfectly adapted to your specific climate and your native bees’ needs (no need to purchase plants, sow seeds, plant transplants, etc., water, maintain, etc.) 
• Stop spraying herbicides, pesticides and chemicals on bees’ food sources
  • Resources

National Wildlife Federation native plant finder by zip code. Ranks plants by use of butterfly and moth species as host plants. Includes trees, grasses, flowers and shrubs
https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/Plants

Lease land to beekeeper

• Beekeepers will place hives on your property and maintain them in exchange for honey or payment. Supports local bees and their keepers.
• Check in with local zoning office for restrictions/ordinances on hive placement
  • Resources

Lease Honey connects land owners and farmers with beekeepers looking for space. Helps to increase crop yields, raise bee population numbers and can even cut down on property taxes in some states.
https://leasehoney.com/

Interplant flowers and flowering herbs in the vegetable garden to attract/feed bees and increase crop yields.

• Companion plants for crops include lavender, nasturtium, chives, thyme, basil, mint, parsley, dill, fennel, catmint
  • Resources

Farmers’ Almanac
Chart of companion plants by vegetable. Also lists benefits of various plants.
https://www.almanac.com/companion-planting-chart-vegetables

Pollinator Perennial Garden

• Perennials tend to have longer blooming periods and return year after year
• Examples include salvia, coneflower, bee balm, rudbeckia, lavender, hyssop, sedum,