Honey bees are in trouble. Since 2006, beekeepers have been reporting cases of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a phenomenon where all the worker bees abandon the hive, leaving behind the queen and a few nurse bees. Scientists don’t have an answer as to what causes CCD, but they do know what we can do to help restore the honey bee population. One of the most important—and simplest—things you can do is plant flowers. Native flowers are the best, which is why you should start searching for “flowers near me” to help save the bees!
Here’s how you can help the bees on this World Honey Bee Day.
Plant Native Flowers
World Honey Bee Day is the third Saturday in August, which this year falls on August 20th. In honor of this day and to help save the bees, take some time to look for native flowers that attract bees. Common New England flowers that provide pollen and nectar for bees include:
- Sunflowers
- Black-eyed Susans
- Daisies
- Zinnias
- Roses
Leave Some of the Weeds
There are also some plants that we think of as weeds that bees love. Goldenrod, clover, dandelions, and milkweed are all plants that have the nectar and pollen bees need to make honey. If you have these in your yard or garden and they are not endangering your other plants, leave at least some of them if you can. If bees are attracted to these weeds, they will also pollinate other plants in your garden, like fruit trees, berries, and vegetables.
Avoid Chemical Pesticides
Chemical pesticides might kill off the bugs and grubs you don’t want, but they will also harm the beneficial creatures in your garden, including the bees. If you need to use a garden pesticide or treatment, only use organic substances and spray in the evening or at night when the bees are less active.
Get “Flowers Near Me” and More to Help the Bees at Sunny Valley Farms
There are many more things you can do to help the bees, such as supporting local farms and buying local honey. Local farms are cultivating plants that bees love, and beekeepers who sell local honey know how to keep bees healthy and promote the bee population as a whole.
When you visit Sunny Valley Farms to get “flowers near me” for your garden, there are many other things you can pick up that will help the bees, too! Stop by our shop and garden center to see all the bee-friendly items we have to offer.