{"id":7161,"title":"Gardening for Bees","description":"It is an unhappy fact that the UK bee population is still in decline.  The good news is that, even on a small scale, we can all do something about it and play our part in trying to turn around this sad situation. In case you need more convincing here are a few facts about why we need bees","content":"<h2><strong>It is an unhappy fact that the UK bee population is still in decline. The good news is that, even on a small scale, we can all do something about it and play our part in trying to turn around this sad situation.<\/strong><\/h2><h3>In case you need more convincing here are a few facts about why we need bees.<\/h3><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/IYcUHUkAsfTtkZe0ou3GSlilTF5DF5x7D8OVgLOK25nZwhfq.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"59030270\" \/><br \/><\/p><ul><li><p>Bees are essential to a healthy environment and economy.<\/p><\/li><li><p>If there were no pollinators, farmers would have to take on this role to the tune of a massive \u00a31.8 billion a year.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Bees are perfect pollinators and this includes fruits and vegetables and the organic cotton that our company uses.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Certain types of bee only pollinate certain types of plants, therefore if the bees die out then those plants could too.<\/p><\/li><li><p>The loss of pollinators such as the bee would result in a reduction in the variety of crops available and a decline in the diversity of wild plants and flowers. Our health and wellbeing would all be the poorer if this was allowed to happen.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><h3><strong>So what can we do to help?<\/strong><\/h3><h3><strong>Whether you have a garden or just a tiny outside space, you don't need to be an expert in horticulture to grow something that bees will love. You can make a big bee difference by doing a few small things.<\/strong><\/h3><p>Here are some ideas that you could try out:<\/p><ul><li><p>Grow flowering shrubs and plants that can feed the bees such as Sunflowers, Lavender, Mahonia, Cosmos, Calendulas, Sedums and Rosemary to name but a few.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/8iT2ZY3XLAxPfP1OkLOeZXq2nlRk0rmtRrZqGef1Y17zNeSt.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"59030273\" \/><br \/><\/p><ul><li><p>Grow plants in tubs and pots if you don't have a garden or even your hanging baskets planted with the right type of flowers will be fine for the bees.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Think about making sure you have a supply of bee friendly plants all year round not just in the summer.<\/p><\/li><li><p>If you are unsure what plants to get have a look around your neighbourhood or when you are next at a garden centre see what plants the bees are attracted to.<\/p><\/li><li><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/2rg4xdHFygvxfBnVKF7CGOuR5byl7BA2BhoPKnHai5YQqkoO.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"59030674\" \/><br \/><\/p><\/li><li><p>It doesn't just have to be flowers, bees are vital for the pollination of fruit and vegetable plants. We like runner beans as the flowers look great too.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Bees need shelter not just nectar and pollen, so leave patches of your lawn a little longer so they have somewhere to hide.<\/p><\/li><li><p>Why not try and grow a wild flower area (or meadow if you have the space) as the bees will thank you for the variety of flowers that comes with this way of planting<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/yfWyMLPPibg7kWlbIl2yudMzt5LpOSHH9RbxiQX6o4M1LQqz.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"59030305\" \/><br \/><\/p><ul><li><p>It is believed that the over use of pesticides has contributed to the decline of the bee, so give these up in your own gardens and go organic with alternative methods<\/p><\/li><li><p>Create a bee hotel for additional shelter for the solitary bees<br \/><br \/><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/e3wDPG477FupKVhxn0wlcL8yqW3ZgNhfIQ1xbOIk3fdeTvxP.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"59030320\" \/><br \/><br \/><\/p><\/li><li><p>Provide water as bees need this to - have you heard of a bee bath, yes that is a thing. Put some shallow water in a dish in a sunny and sheltered spot and see what turns up!<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>To celebrate the fantastic and vital bee we created this Big Bee print that really is the bees knees. You can shop our bee print in our store now.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/VGSiCF9S2tIUp7mpiyYGZ3MnlmXCK4aBtUV5ZXaSrWjnoUwd.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"59030522\" \/><br \/><\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/G4hHoqSgdxEmoWzB4SKMhVfubCBZCWUWIppFyzf57q5c4vIG.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"59030537\" \/><br \/><br \/>So all you busy bees, we hope that has given you a few ideas, so why not give it a go and hopefully you will be rewarded with some very happy bee visitors.<\/p><p>Winnie &amp; Wellie x<br \/><br \/><br \/>Previous Post <a href=\"https:\/\/winnieandwellie.com\/blog\/gardening-by-the-moon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gardening By the Moon<\/a><br \/><\/p>","urlTitle":"gardening-for-bees","url":"\/blog\/gardening-for-bees\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/gardening-for-bees\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/winnieandwellie.com\/blog\/gardening-for-bees\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1598889815,"updatedAt":1605110854,"publishedAt":1600812580,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":68406,"name":"Winnie & Wellie"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/aYcu894YeA73BvHc2sxi8ZVxqsADjJaflcvjq10TuFwrc0w3.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/aYcu894YeA73BvHc2sxi8ZVxqsADjJaflcvjq10TuFwrc0w3.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/aYcu894YeA73BvHc2sxi8ZVxqsADjJaflcvjq10TuFwrc0w3.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":null,"metaDescription":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":6679,"title":"Not All Organic Cotton Is Created Equal","url":"\/blog\/not-all-organic-cotton-is-created-equal\/","urlTitle":"not-all-organic-cotton-is-created-equal","division":68406,"description":"How organic is your t-shirt?\nAt Winnie & Wellie all our products are made from certified organic cotton but as the title says, not all organic cotton is made equal.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/l7cmaYqMfe0qUuQPmnGAa2eemWEFgASfuEdknoB7IFAM9NSJ.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/l7cmaYqMfe0qUuQPmnGAa2eemWEFgASfuEdknoB7IFAM9NSJ.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":12729,"title":"Saving Our Pollinators","url":"\/blog\/pollinators\/","urlTitle":"pollinators","division":68406,"description":"Want to know how you can help Save Our Polinators?  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