This year, my Bee Garden is in full bloom. I have added even more Bee-friendly plants and more plants that will attract butterflies, too. I love to go out in the early morning hours and watch the scurry of activity. I am amazed at how many dragonflies there are, too. (another fave of mine). I haven’t shared this, but we have contracted a gentleman to set up and maintain Honey Bees at our family farm and he is slowly teaching me the ropes. Maybe by this time next Summer I will be brave enough to “suit up” and collect the honey. For now, I just enjoy the bees from our garden.
I am re-sharing this post again as part of “The Best of Summer.” I hope you enjoy it! xxoo, Barb
……………………………………………………………..
Bees.
Many people see them as pesky little critters. If they sting you, I guess
they are at that point because it hurts like the dickens. But, I get so
upset when I hear of people spraying insecticide to “kill the Bees.”
Bees, the great pollinators of the Earth, are so important to our survival.
That is why I have started a one-woman effort at The Everyday Home
to “employ” as many Pollinating Bees in our garden as I can.
Here is mine….
How to Create a DIY Bee Garden
Bees are pretty simple creatures. They really don’t need anything more
than most living creatures. Food, water and shelter. About one third of all
crops rely on the pollination of Bees. If we lose our pollinators, we lose our
food source. It’s that simple. Sadly, many pesticides widely outlawed in the rest
of the World are still abundantly used in the U.S. Don’t EVEN get me started
on Monsanto and the millions of bees they are killing each year. grrrrr
(from beekeepers.com)
If everyone could start a Bee Garden, it would provide a small
respite from pesticide-filled fields. It’s so easy, and I love that I am teaching
my Babies about the environment and gardening and bees all at the same time.
Here is my Bee Garden…
As you can see, it’s only about 8′ x 8″ and is placed in the center of my
vegetable garden. So, it is serving two purposes.
1.) This area is creating a safe space for Bees.
2.) The bees will help pollinate my garden and flowers.
I have planted a variety of Bee-loving plants and herbs,
and here are a few.
Lantana, Sage, Lavender Rosemary and Thyme,
just to name a few.
Like all living creatures, Bees also need a water source. But, a conventional
Bird Bath is too deep as they can drown. It’s easy to create a Bee Bath.
(By the way, the butterflies and dragonflies love this Bath, too!)
I simply used a Glazed Terra Cotta Pot on a metal, plant stand. (I pushed
the legs of the stand into the dirt) Then, you need to add some marbles
or stones into the water to give them a landing perch. I used shells and
these fun glass lettered-balls I have had few a few years.
Finally, you need to provide shelter and nesting sites.
I purchased this Bamboo Bee House. The Babies call it the “Bee Hotel.” 😀
I love the little tin roof. 🙂
Here are some DIY Ideas to make your own Bee House.
Sources: HGTV | Flat Bread Co. | Hartley Botanic Co. | Kix Cereal
The best part about Bee Gardens is you don’t need a huge backyard or a
huge space. Start small in container gardens. Use the side of your house
or the side of a tree to add some hanging baskets and a Bee House. Most
people have plantings around their porches or decks. Just add a few bee-loving
flowers and herbs to attract them, right into your regular landscaping. Just
be very careful about not using harmful pesticides.
Here are a few examples…
Gather a Grouping of Container Plants that bees love
on your patio or back deck. | Create an Herb Garden with Bee Friendly Plants |
Even a Single Container can be made into a Bee Garden
Finally, I just had to share my Gardening Buddy. He “adopted” us last
year, even after we made a pact NO MORE CATS. (haha, yea right!)
My Gardening Buddy… Max the Cat!
He walks around with his long, tail straight in the air trying to catch
the elusive and evil Dragonfly. But, that is hard work…so he has to take
a drink every now and then.
Gardening is hard work, you know.
😀
Next week, I will share the rest of my garden. The ‘maters are almost
ready to pick and I am harvesting basil like a mad person.
(and putting up pesto like crazy.)
If you would like to see a LIVE video of my Bee Garden, click
the link below to see me on The Everyday Home Facebook Live.
https://www.facebook.com/TheEverydayHomeBlog/videos/1316254518388082/
Happy Gardening, my Everyday Friends!
………………………………………………..
More Gardening Ideas and Projects from The Everyday Home…
Utensil Caddy Mini Herb Garden
Summer Garden Centerpiece with Homemade Citronella Candles
……………………………………
Please don’t forget to PIN IT and SHARE IT!
Do you follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram?
I would love for you to share these images on your fave social media sites.
Simply scroll the center and click the icon of your choice, or choose the icons
under the post. xxoo
………………………………………….
Thank you for spending a few
minutes of your day here with me.
You can follow along with
The Everyday Home here….
PINTEREST FACEBOOKTWITTER INSTAGRAM
You can find some of the Link Parties I participate in here on my Linky Party Page.
” …finding joy in the everyday! “
Sandi Duncan says
I love this idea! I can’t wait to incorporate in my new flower garden and our new homestead! Your blog is geat by the way.
View CommentAngie Rose says
Hi Barb! I absolutely love your easy and fun tutorial on how to make a bee garden. We would absolutely love it if you stopped by to our Dishing It & Digging It party and shared it with us! Here is the link if you’d like to join: http://www.angiethefreckledrose.com/dishing-it-digging-it-160/ I’ve also pinned this to our group board on Pinterest! Have a wonderful week 🙂
View Comment