by Burt's Bees | 4 Minute Read
ALMONDS & BEES
You already know how we feel about bees, and you probably know how important they are. As pollinators, they’re behind the food we eat and the ingredients we use in so many of our products.
Bees travel a LONG way during pollination season, so they need to refuel with clean water and diverse food sources (or forage). You can help by setting up your own pollinator garden. Think of it as a rest stop along the bee highway—you’ll be giving them a place to rest, refuel and get strong for the next leg of their pollination journey.
HOW TO MAKE A POLLINATOR GARDEN
Find a Spot
First things first, you need to decide where your garden will grow. If you have a yard, aim to plant in the sunniest part of it—bees and other pollinators love sunshine, so choose plants that do well in either full or part sun. Same applies if you’re building a container garden.
Choose Your Plants
Once you know your light, you can get to the fun part—picking plants! Some do better in clay-based soils, while others need more drainage, so figure out your soil type before you start shopping.
You’ll want to pick plants that are known to attract and support pollinators like bees and butterflies. You can find out more about which varieties thrive in your region by checking out the Pollinator Partnership’s Planting Guide.
The larger the plant that you start with, the more you’re going to spend on it. So, starting with seeds is the most affordable option (and can give you more variety than you might find in the live plant section of a store) but will take time to grow and get established.
You can get small or more established plants from a local plant nursery (which will also be full of people who know which plants do well in your area—ask them questions!), or most home supply stores.
Prep Your Space
Loosen up dirt, add in a layer of compost, add more drainage if needed with sand or gravel, pick out weeds and clear out grass—whatever you need to do to get your specific space ready, go for it. Your plants will thank you.
Plant and Maintain
If you’re starting your garden with seeds, it’s smart to plant in the fall or late winter. If you’re starting with grown plants, fall is also good but otherwise wait until there’s no danger of frost before you plant.
Water your garden regularly, pluck out any weeds, and get ready for your garden to be buzzing with some grateful local bees.
