Creating a Bee-Friendly Garden This Season
There’s something special about March. The days stretch a little longer, the air softens, and slowly but surely nature begins to wake up. And while we’re enjoying those first signs of spring, something important is happening quietly in our gardens and hedgerows.
Bees are returning.
As temperatures rise above 10°C, queen bumblebees emerge from hibernation, searching for nectar to refuel and somewhere safe to start their nests. Solitary bees also reappear, hungry after winter and in urgent need of early pollen. Honey bees, meanwhile, have spent the colder months clustered inside their hives to keep warm. Now, as brighter days arrive, they begin venturing out on cleansing and foraging flights.
For beekeepers, March is a crucial month. Hives are checked for food stores, the health of the queen, and signs that colonies have come through winter well. It’s a delicate period. Colonies are building up again, but natural food sources are still limited.
Which is why what’s in your garden right now really matters.
Some of the earliest flowers are also the most valuable. Dandelions, crocuses, primroses, snowdrops and hellebores provide vital nectar and pollen. That so called weed in your lawn could actually be a lifeline for a tired bee.
With March often recognised as National Garden Month, and National Flower Day on 21st March, it’s a perfect time to plant with purpose. If you’re heading to the garden centre, here are five simple, practical ways to support bees this spring:
1. Look for the “bee friendly” label
Most garden centres highlight plants that are good for pollinators. Early bloomers like crocus, grape hyacinth, primrose, hellebores and flowering currant are usually easy to find.
2. Skip chemical sprays
Once plants are in your garden, avoid chemical pesticides where possible. Many retailers stock organic or natural alternatives. Even rinsing aphids off with water can help.
3. Leave a patch of lawn to flower
If dandelions or clover appear, consider leaving a small section unmown for a few weeks. It costs nothing and provides valuable early nectar.
4. Don’t rush the tidy up
Hollow stems, leaf litter and small piles of twigs can shelter solitary bees. Leave one corner a little wild until late spring.
5. Add a simple water source
A shallow dish with pebbles and fresh water gives bees a safe place to land and drink.
Supporting bees doesn’t need to be complicated. A few thoughtful choices can make a real difference to their survival and to the wider ecosystem we all rely on.
This spring, as everything begins again, let’s make sure our gardens are ready to welcome the buzz back.