Now, more than ever, people all around the globe are understanding the importance of taking care of our planet after years and years of neglect. In the 1970’s, people starting to become aware of the drastic decline of the quality of our ecosystem. This is why Earth Day was founded and has since increased awareness on what we can do to reverse the damage that has been done. People are upgrading to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, trading in those gas guzzlers for electric cars and finally understanding the real importance of recycling. One of the greatest movements we’ve seen in an effort to preserve our ecosystem, is the increase of people who are willing to go to great lengths to save the bees. Showplace Lawns outlines why it’s a great idea to plant a bee garden to help save the bees.
Bee Facts
There are over 3,500 different species of bees found in the United States. Here in the great state of Texas, we are home to hundreds of species of bees that are native to our great State. Bees make our way of life possible. It is estimated that one of every three bites of food we eat are because of the work bees do for us by pollinating food sources. Without bees, most of the food crops we enjoy would cease to exist. Most bees are social creatures and live in hives with a queen, her daughter workers and male drones. There are solitary bees such as the squash bee, mining bees, sunflower bees and a host of others that are responsible for a large amount of the pollination that keeps food on our tables. The European honeybee was brought to the U.S. more than 300 years ago and since the 1950’s we have seen a huge decrease in honeybee populations around the globe. This is largely due to the uprising in the use of chemical pesticides and vast land development. Just one bee will only make about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey it’s lifetime. The average lifespan for a bee is a short 6-8 weeks, in that time a worker bee will fly the equivalent of 1 ½ times the circumference of the Earth in search of pollen to bring back to it’s hive. On each flight, a single bee will visit anywhere from 50-100 flowers. Honey is the only natural food source on the planet that contains all the necessary nutrients to sustain human life. It’s some of the best stuff on Earth.
Pollinator Garden Design Plans
Horticultural enthusiasts around the globe are bringing the buzz on the importance of bees in our ecosystem. They are a vital part of our lives and we should do all we can to preserve them. Planting trees, herbs, plants and gardens that are a sanctuary for bees and other pollinators is a great way to do your part in helping our ecosystem. Bee season is from March through October. When it comes to making a bee garden, variety is the spice of life for a bee. Nearly 80% of all flowers require pollination to thrive, so you have a vast array to choose from. Bee gardens that host 10 or more bee loving plants thrive and tend to be the most successful. Bees need both pollen plants and nectar plants for a colony to survive. Some of the best plants to consider would be crocus, hyacinth, borage, calendula, roses, wild lilac, almond verbena, coral vine, sweet acacia, gulf coast penstemon, flame acanthus, kidneywood, fragrant mist flower, salvia, anise hyssop, globe mallow and many others including flowering vegetables, even fruit trees! You can have the best garden on the block and do something great for the bees and our Earth!
Landscape Design, Lawn Care Maintenance & More in Shady Hollow, Circle C, Dripping Springs, Buda, Sunset Valley, Manchaca, Oak Hill & Greater Southwest & West Austin, Texas
Showplace Lawns can help bring your backyard bee oasis to life! We offer landscaping design of all kinds and would be glad to assist you in all your landscaping needs, including the upkeep of your pollinating oasis. Call us today!
