• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Cullen’s Foods
  • Trees For Life
  • Events
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
June 24, 2015

Bees are Like Children

You’ve planted up the perfect vegetable garden.  Rows are straight, every seed has germinated and is well on its way to becoming part of a delicious meal, and the rodents have been keeping quiet (so far).

You’ve probably also noticed the flowers have started to open, meaning your plant is looking for some friendly visitors to help them out.  Bees and other pollinators are out and about this time of year and, if the rain holds off long enough for you to putter about, you may just see a few.

If you’re not seeing very many, you may want to reconsider your garden design for next year.  Remember this: bees love pollen and nectar (depending on the kid of bee). And bees are like children: you must promise dessert if you want them to eat their veggies.

The Dessert

What does a bee like for dessert? Native flowers.  Sure, honeybees aren’t native but, in all fairness, they’re not the ones doing most of the pollinating anyway. Unless you bring in honeybees, your flowers are being pollinated by a whole host of native bees that, honestly, do a much better job.

Consider a few of these bee favourites for next year’s vegetable garden.  You don’t necessarily have to plant them right IN the garden, just in the area.  The bees will bumble and zip about and your vegetables will be found.

coreopsis

Coreopsis: bright yellow, full sun, grows really well in sandy soils

beebalm

Beebalm: light purple or red, full sun to partial shade, grows almost anywhere

blanketflower

Blanketflower: yellow and red, full sun, loves sandy soils

echinacea

Purple Coneflower: pink/purple, full sun to partial shade, sand to clay

Smooth Aster: light blue/purple, full sun to partial shade, sand to clay

New England Aster: purple, full sun to partial shade, sand to clay but needs soils to be a little moist

You’ll notice, too, that other pollinators will show up to feed on the sweet treats you’re providing: flies, butterflies, moths, and beetles love these flowers and are all excellent pollinators. Give it a try: mix and match your veggies with some native flowers and enjoy a hefty harvest next year. Trust me, your bee children will love it.

← Previous post
Thanks, Dad

Next post →
Your Safety in the Garden

Search

Recent Posts

  • Signs of Spring March 27, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week February 2, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark CullenFollow

Best selling Canadian gardening author as seen on TV, radio, online and print.

Mark Cullen
16 Oct

Tune into @1059TheRegion to hear Ben talk fall colors today with Ann Rohmer or listen online at http://1059theregion.com/ and look for THE FEED

Reply on Twitter 1449275767133773824Retweet on Twitter 14492757671337738241Like on Twitter 14492757671337738244
8 Oct

Thank you so much to @globalnewsto for having @MarkCullen4 on the "Making a Difference" segment this week. Take a look at the broadcast here: https://globalnews.ca/video/8248858/national-charity-committed-to-inspiring-tree-planting-initiatives-across-canada

Reply on Twitter 1446542309101867034Retweet on Twitter 14465423091018670342Like on Twitter 14465423091018670343
29 Jun 2021

Bird watching isn't just a hobby, it’s an opportunity to help. Gardening expert Mark Cullen explains.

https://nexthome.ca/news/bird-watching-isnt-just-a-hobby-its-an-opportunity-to-help/1284617/

@MarkCullen4

#garden #flowers #gardens #gardenlife #nature #gardenlove #birdwatching #birding #wildlife #birdlovers #birdlife #naturelovers #birdlover

Reply on Twitter 1409878268090716161Retweet on Twitter 14098782680907161615Like on Twitter 140987826809071616117
18 Jun 2021

Written by @MarkCullen4 for @TorontoStar, check out the top eight picks for planting in hot spots.

#LandscapeOntario #GreenforLife #GardeningTips #GardeningTrends #TorontoGardens #SouthernOntarioGardening

https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/06/15/these-8-plants-are-heat-loving-sun-worshippers.html

Reply on Twitter 1405955991699701762Retweet on Twitter 14059559916997017622Like on Twitter 140595599169970176210

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods Share Agriculture Foundation Harrowsmith
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑