Guest writer: Christy Erickson (savingourbees.org)
The days are getting shorter, the temperature is dropping, and the leaves are changing colors. As fall approaches it might be a good time to consider making changes to your garden. Cooler temperatures and less sunlight during the day will have an impact on how healthy your current plants are, and many may not survive the first frost. With fewer flowers around, the bee population could also take a hit. It’s a great time of year to be working outside and a perfect time for changing up the garden at your home. Here we will discuss some plants that are great for the environment and promote a healthy bee population.
To keep that beautiful garden looking great through the fall season you may want to consider planting flowers that will bloom during the cooler months. Where there are flowers, there are nectar and pollen for our buzzing friends. When choosing what to plant, take into consideration what climate you live in. Opt for native and adapted plants better suited to your local soil and climate. These types of plants will attract local insects, including pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, which will help the environment. Ask your local nursery for more information on what thrives naturally in your area, but some examples of great fall additions to your garden are: rosemary, autumn sage, squash, pumpkin, and sunflowers.
You can also help your local bee population by replacing portions of your lawn with more flowers. This can help break up the monotony of your yard while also providing more sources of pollen. Another way you can beautify your yard is by planting flowers along the sidewalk and walkway to your front door. If you do not have a yard, adding potted flowers to your porch is always an option. You can plant flowers in pots outside of windows, or hang them from an entryway or back porch. To help encourage more bees, try to plant your flowers together in large beds or groups. With denser flowers, bees will stick around for longer and have more pollen to collect. If your flowers are scattered, the bees will not be as efficient in pollinating the plants, and they may be few and far between.
After planting a beautiful garden it may be tempting to protect your plants with pesticides. This can however have very negative effects. Not only can it hurt the individual bee, but the pollen itself may become contaminated with the pesticide and the bee may bring it back to the hive. This could potentially contaminate other bees and the actual hive, harming future generations. There are some ways to minimize the risks of pesticides. Try using herbal pesticides, insecticide soap, and sulfur as alternatives. Spray your plants at night when bees are less likely to be out collecting pollen, this will also give it a chance to dry before bees show up again. Be sure to avoid spraying the part of the plant where the pollen is exposed, and instead spray at the base and the stem.
Lastly, you can provide a habitat for bees in the fall. Bee houses can be constructed out of ordinary household materials such as paper towel rolls or you can opt to buy a commercial one. Some other varieties of habitats may include older untreated wood blocks, stumps, or even holes in old bricks. Different species of bees will have different types of habitats, so you may want look into which bees are more common in your area. Whichever habitat you do choose, be sure not to move it once bees take residence, so they have the best chance at surviving and thriving.
Planning changes to your garden to prepare for the fall season will help beautify your home and help the local environment. Planting certain plants and flowers that bloom throughout autumn will supply bees with a constant supply of pollen. If you use pesticides, be cautious about what you use and how you apply it. And, having habitats for bees in your yard will ensure your bee garden remains a beautiful and environmentally friendly addition to your home.