Bee engaged

This Sunday (20th May) is World Bee Day, time to take stock and check that we are all doing what we can to protect, support and encourage the delightful little pollinators who play such a crucial role in the well-being of our planet.

In recognition of the pivotal role that youth can play in addressing challenges that bees and other pollinators are facing, World Bee Day 2024 focuses on the theme "Bee engaged with Youth." The theme highlights the importance of involving young people in beekeeping and pollinator conservation efforts, recognizing them as the future stewards of our environment.

Winter is fast approaching, but honey bees don't hibernate - they still need to feed their queen and all the workers. Here are some plants you can grow in your garden or balcony, to ensure a continual source of food for all pollinators throughout the colder months.

- Plant a diverse set of natives that flower at different times of the year. Grevilleas, Callistemon (Bottlebrush), Kangaroo Paw and Leptospermum (Tea Tree) will usually flower year-round and come in a wide range of colour, height and width so are an easy choice.

- Winter-flowering shrubs include Lavender, Salvia, Rosemary or Camellia.

- Add colour and bee-food to your winter garden by sowing plenty of Marigolds, Calendula, Borage, Lobelia, Zinnias or Sunflowers.

Remember, it's important to avoid using herbicides, fungicides or pesticides even if it seems our friendly pollinators are not very active through the colder months.