Looking to help bees and pollinators thrive in your garden? By planting the right flowers and following a few key practices, you can support the bee population and help preserve our food sources—one-third of each bite we take depends on pollination!

Why Are Bees Declining?

Bee and pollinator populations are declining for several reasons:

• Mites and Viruses: These pests bring diseases into beehives.
• Lack of Nutrition: Limited access to quality pollen and nectar.
• Habitat Loss: Decreased natural areas for bees to forage.
• Extreme Weather: Unpredictable weather impacts bee populations.
• Insecticide Exposure: Misuse of insecticides can harm pollinators.

The bee decline is complex, with multiple contributing factors. However, gardeners can make a difference by creating a pollinator-friendly garden.

How to Create a Bee-Friendly Garden

1. Provide a Water Source: Place a shallow dish with stones for bees to land on.
2. Plant Nectar-Rich Flowers: Include a variety of bee-friendly plants that bloom throughout the year.
3. Create Sunlit, Wind-Protected Areas: Bees thrive in sunny, sheltered spaces.
4. Allow ‘Wild’ Edges: Let certain areas grow naturally; dandelions and clovers provide excellent pollen and nectar sources.
5. Use Native and Non-Native Plants: Fill your garden with a mix of flowers that attract and sustain pollinators.

Best Bee-Friendly Plants for Cincinnati Gardens

Bees are particularly attracted to blue, purple, violet, white, and yellow flowers. Popular pollinator plants include:

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

Find more bee-friendly plants at Natorp’s Pollinator-Friendly Plant Collection.

How to Protect Bee Populations in Your Garden

1. Limit Insecticide Use: Only use pesticides when absolutely necessary, and follow these best practices:
   • Choose Targeted Products: Opt for insecticides that won’t harm bees.
   • Apply Carefully: Spray when bees are less active, avoid windy days, and never spray flowering plants.
   • Use Natural Options First: Try insecticidal soap or horticultural oil before stronger chemicals.
2. Install Bee Nesting Boxes: Native bees, such as mason bees, are excellent pollinators and rarely sting. Nesting boxes encourage these helpful bees to stay and thrive in your garden.
3. Plant Trees for Bees: Trees like flowering cherry, butterfly bush, and caryopteris provide long-lasting food sources for pollinators.
4. Protect Bee Swarms: If you see a bee swarm, don’t panic! Contact local beekeepers who can safely relocate it.

Learn About Bees

Educate yourself and your family on the importance of bees. Local Extension offices and beekeeping associations often offer beekeeping workshops that are a great way to get involved.

Cincinnati Gardening Made Simple!
Have a question about creating a bee-friendly garden? Ask the Experts!