Bee-Friendly Gardening: How to Help Bees Thrive in Cincinnati

Want to make your garden a haven for bees? By planting the right flowers and adopting key gardening practices, you can create a bee-friendly garden that supports pollinators and helps preserve our food supply. One-third of every bite depends on pollination, so let’s dig into how you can help!

Why Are Bees Declining?

Bee populations are under threat for several reasons:

• Mites and Viruses: Pests that introduce diseases to hives.
• Lack of Nutrition: Insufficient access to quality pollen and nectar.
• Habitat Loss: Urbanization reduces natural forage areas.
• Extreme Weather: Unpredictable weather disrupts bee activity.
• Insecticide Exposure: Misuse of insecticides harms pollinators.

While these challenges are complex, gardeners can take action to reverse the decline by planting pollinator-friendly gardens.

How to Create a Bee-Friendly Garden

Follow these steps to attract and support bees in your garden:

1. Provide Fresh Water: Use a shallow dish with stones so bees can land safely.
2. Plant a Variety of Flowers: Include nectar-rich plants that bloom throughout the seasons.
3. Add Sunny, Sheltered Spaces: Bees prefer sunlit areas protected from strong winds.
4. Embrace Wild Plants: Allow clovers and dandelions to grow in some areas for extra pollen.
5. Include Native Plants: Native flowers are essential for supporting local pollinator species.

Best Plants for Bee-Friendly Gardening in Cincinnati

Bees love flowers in blue, purple, white, yellow, and violet hues. Add these pollinator favorites to your landscape:

Flowers: Lavender, milkweed, daisies, crocus, alliums, catmint, salvia, and zinnias.
Shrubs and Trees: Crabapple, peach trees, hawthorn, and spirea.

🌼 Visit Us: Discover more bee-friendly plants in Natorp’s Pollinator-Friendly Plant Collection!

Protecting Bees in Your Garden

To create a haven for pollinators, follow these tips:

• Use Insecticides Responsibly:
  • Choose bee-safe products.
  • Spray early in the morning or late in the evening.
  • Avoid spraying on flowers or during windy conditions.
• Install Bee Nesting Boxes: Attract native species like mason bees, gentle and excellent pollinators.
• Plant Bee-Friendly Trees: Options like flowering cherry, butterfly bush, and caryopteris provide consistent food sources.
• Protect Bee Swarms: Contact a local beekeeper to ensure safe relocation if you see a swarm.

Learn More About Bee Conservation

Educate yourself and your family about the importance of bees. Local Extension offices and Cincinnati-area beekeeping associations often host workshops to help you get involved in pollinator conservation.

Start Your Bee-Friendly Garden Today!

Need advice on creating the perfect bee-friendly garden? 🌸 Let Natorp’s gardening experts guide you. Explore our Pollinator-Friendly Plant Collection online or visit us to get started. Together, we can make Cincinnati a haven for pollinators!