The blossom has burst into bloom in the gardens here at The Lodge and is attracting lots of busy bees, buzzing from flower to flower. You may not realise it, but bees do a lot more than just bumble around and produce honey – in fact, us humans owe these little creatures an awful lot.Bees have a symbiotic relationship with plants – a kind of ‘you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours’ arrangement – and in return for the nutritious nectar produced by flowering plants, bees provide them with a vital pollination service. An amazing 40% of the food we eat, from apples and pears, to carrots and broccoli, depends on plants being pollinated by insects, including bees. This equates to about one in three mouthfuls of food! Bees are in trouble though, and the number of honey bees in particular has dropped dramatically over recent years, as a result of land use changes, a deadly parasite called the varroa mite and the recent spate of cold, wet summers. If you’d like to help bees, but don’t know where to start, here are a few ideas:1. Plant nectar-rich flowers Not only will you be helping bees to stock up on vital food, you’ll also be creating a beautiful and fragrant haven for lots of other wildlife too (not to mention yourself!).2. Make a bee hotel Help solitary bees to set up home in your garden by providing them with a ready-made residence. If DIY isn’t your forte, you can also buy ready-made insect homes! 3. Become a beekeeper If you’re feeling really keen, you could even take up beekeeping, and in return for giving your bee colony some TLC you’ll be rewarded with lots of delicious honey. The British Beekeeper’s Association website is a great place to learn more about this rewarding hobby.4. Have a sweet treat Indulge your sweet tooth by buying locally produced honey and you'll be supporting British bees and beekeepers. Why not try out some of these tempting recipies?
So, this weekend, do your bit for bees - life wouldn't be the same without them!