Bees’ Needs Week 2021

Make a change in your back garden, get involved with Bees Needs Week 2021

To help care and protect bees and other pollinators that are very important for planet earth, this week is Bees' Needs Week (12th-18th July). 

Why are the needs of Bees' important?

Bees and other pollinators play a crucial role in our environment. They improve crop quality and quantity and are important for the wider, natural ecosystems. In total, according to government data, they contribute more than £500 million a year to UK agriculture and food production. 

Who should get involved in Bees' Needs Week?

The UK's environment minister Rebecca Pow is calling on all of us to get involved and help protect the nations pollinators. This includes farmers, gardeners and those who manage urban spaces, as well as ourselves as individuals. 

Who else is involved in Bees' Needs Week?

Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and other green organisations including Royal Horticultural Society and Bumblebee Conservation Trust are working together to encourage everyone to get involved, the best and easiest way they can. 

So how can I help? 

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust and DEFRA have put forward 5 simple actions, so everyone can play a role in protecting bees and other pollinators.

They are...

1. Grow more flowers, shrubs and trees

Why? Flowers, shrubs and trees provide nectar which is food for bees throughout the year. 

But what should I plant?

Spring - primroses, pussy willow, crocuses

Summer - lavenders, meadow cranesbill, ox-eye daises

Autumn - Ivy and hebes

Winter - mahonia shrubs and cyclamen

2. Let it grow wild 

Instead of landscaping your garden completely, leaving patches of land to grow wild with stinging nettles and dandelions is really helpful. Theses areas will provide other food sources (leaves for caterpillars) and breeding spaces for butterflies and moths. 

3. Cut grass less often

Native flowering plants in grass areas, verges and field corners are home to a hugely diverse number of insect pollinators, which provide nectar and pollen resources. This could be for nesting, breeding and leaves for caterpillars. Therefore, it's important not to cut grass too often, but when you do cut it to remove the cuttings to allow more plants to flower. 

4. Don't disturb insect nests and hibernation spots

You will often find in grass margins, bare soil, hedgerows, trees, dead wood or walls, insects nesting or hibernating. Not only do we need to ensure there are enough food resources for these pollinators but also making sure their places of rest is safe to allow them to survive throughout the winter to spring. 

5. Think carefully about whether to use pesticides 

Instead of using pesticides consider control methods appropriate to your situation, and therefore avoiding using them where pollinators are active or nesting, or where plants are in flower. For example, physically removing pests or using barriers to deter them. Only use pesticides if absolutely necessary and make sure to follow label instructions. 

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Find out more about Bees' Needs Week here and more about the Bumblebee Conservation Trust here.

For those of you who love bees, or know someone else who does. We've got the perfect gift that is both practical and special...

Our Beehive Solar Light Wall Plaque is the perfect way to light up your garden at night, whilst also being a great reminder of how important bees are for our environment during the day! Shop our Bee gifts here. 

Let's help save the bees! 🐝