world bee day: in conversation with piccolo

Saturday 20th May is World Bee day, so to celebrate, we've partnered with Piccolo, a wonderful Italian brand who create seeds perfect for balcony, pot and garden growing.  World Bee day exists to draw attention to the essential role bees and other pollinators play in the ecosystem, so we asked Piccolo to give us some tips on how to attract bees to our gardens.

 

Create a habitat for pollinators

Humans and pollinators can peacefully coexist, but you might find it intriguing to dedicate a section of your garden to the bees and bumblebees themselves.

 

Offer pollinators a drink

Bees, like all other living things, require water. Place a shallow dish filled with water and stones or a small birdbath to attract bees. 

 

Go wild

A bee garden is not a perfectly manicured lawn; let it grow wild. Leave dead branches and leaves for wild bees. Allow the blossom to go to seed so that the plant can self-sow the next year.

 

Keep the bees safe

Pesticides should be used sparingly, if at all. Pesticides have the potential to harm bees and other pollinators.

 

Offer variety

Bees want flowers for sustenance, so if you want to attract them, make sure your garden has plenty of blooms. It is preferable to use native, open-pollinated, self-sowing plants.

 

Give bees a place to live

Bees, like humans, require shelter from the intense sun and severe weather. A bee home is a brilliant way to give them with refuge while also beautifying your landscape.