Bees are extremely important insects that have evolved along with flowering plants and are a beautiful example of harmony with nature. Flowers attract bees with colors and fragrances and offer them nectar and pollen. Bees repay by spreading pollen and thus helping plants to reproduce. It is worth remembering about this when planting plants in the garden or on the balcony - without the hard work of bees and other pollinating insects, nothing would grow.
To save the bees
Every gardening lover knows how much we owe to bees and other pollinating insects. In fact, three-quarters of the flowering plant population and about thirty-five percent of the world's food plants depend on them for reproduction. So we can safely say that without the help of buzzing friends, the surrounding nature and our diet would look completely different. However, the facts are disturbing - three bumblebee species have become extinct in recent years, and nearly one in ten wild bee species in Europe is threatened with extinction. The main cause of bee extinctions is the destruction of their habitat, both as a result of intensive breeding and urbanization, with the problem being exacerbated by climate change and the use of toxic pesticides. What steps can we take to stop this problem? How to take care of the garden so that the bees can live in harmony with the surrounding nature?
Bees in the garden - start with simple steps
A diminishing and even dying bee population is of great importance to the appearance of our garden, our diet and even the lifestyle we lead. For several years, cultivating balcony plants and spending time on plots or in gardens has become extremely popular. It is worth using this time wisely - while spending time outdoors, we can help insects in need. What steps to take at the very beginning?
Choose wild flowers and flowering plants:you don't know what flowers to plant in your garden? Naturally, wildflowers and flowering plants will be a real bee's paradise!
Plant variety in the garden:Plant different plants so that they bloom all season long. Some species of bees appear in spring, others in summer, and there are also those that are present throughout the season.Not only flowers are important, but the entire mosaic of plants, from trees, through beds with vegetables and fruit, to shrubs.
Use natural fertilizers:this point is extremely important because pesticides are harmful to bees. When using chemical plant protection products, choose only preparations that are safe for bees and observe the periods to prevent their poisoning.
Bees are thirsty:despite the fact that bees are insects, they must have access to water. You can place a shallow vessel such as a flower pot stand outside and put a few stones in it to keep the bees from drowning.
Create a hotel for the bees: bees will be happy to nest near access to plants, so you can build a bumblebee house for them, which will protect them, among other things, from rain.
Work in the garden and bees
Every year we perform a whole list of activities in our gardens that prepare him for the changing seasons. If we want to create a safe space for bees, it is worth adjusting the habits so as not to scare them away. Fiskars has introduced six innovative, ergonomic and easy-to-use tools for sowing and planting plants. Xact, Ergo and Solid products are designed to meet the expectations of every gardener. And most importantly - thanks to them we can create a bee-friendly garden. How to use Fiskars tools in garden care?
Soil preparation:loosening the soil, making holes in the ground or circulation are important when planting seeds, bulbs or small seedlings at the right depth. It is worth using tools that are durable. When you choose Fiskars Solid ™ tools, you can be sure that they are made of lightweight, durable and weather-resistant FiberComp ™.A cultivator designed for loosening and aerating the soil and preparing the soil for sowing, a rake, a fork or a hoe will be extremely useful here.
Sowing seeds and planting:Regardless of whether we choose seeds, bulbs or ready-made plant cuttings, we must have tools that will help us safely transplant them into the ground. By choosing products from the Solid ™ series or those from the Ergo ™ series, they will make sowing or planting a real pleasure. If you are looking for a tool for planting both flower bulbs and cuttings, the Xact ™ planter is the perfect solution. This efficient and ergonomic tool will make planting easier and easier. A shaft with a sharp tip and a foot rest allows you to easily make holes. And the locking mechanism in the footrest keeps the blade open, allowing the bulb to be thrown through the top of the planter - exactly where you want it. With this planter, all planting activities can be done with one tool, which makes the work easy and fun.
The Solid ™ seed drill is the perfect helper for seed placement. This versatile tool can be used all year round. In summer, it can be used to spread seeds and fertilizer, and in winter, s alt can be spread. The rotating knob allows easy dosing adjustment depending on the use of the granulate. It is possible to choose one of three different hole diameter settings for sowing loose, coarse and fine grain media. The tank is graduated in liters. What's more, the lid can be closed, which will be extremely useful during storage and transport.
Pruning trees and shrubs:Proper pruning tools and techniques help trees and shrubs grow. Choose secateurs with high-quality steel blades for a precise cut. For trimming branches, choose the universal Fiskars secateurs with which you can reach even tall branches.- it must be emphasized that in the case of cutting in hard-to-reach places (treetops, dense shrubs), the Giraffe universal pruner from Fiskars will be perfect.
Weaning:this point should be done mechanically. Avoid using pesticides or herbicides that are toxic to bees and bumblebees. Before fighting garden pests, it is worth asking yourself whether they are really harmful? Do they damage your plants? If the answer is yes, you can use
Watering:is an extremely important point in the care of a garden full of beautiful plants. Fiskars has expanded its offer with the segment of garden irrigation equipment. Garden owners will be able to irrigate them using a wide range of irrigation equipment: hoses, drums, guns, lances, sprinklers, as well as a convenient control system.
Invite children to your garden:learning about insects and balance in nature should start from an early age. The MyFirstFiskars kit will help you with this, as it contains the most important tools for the young gardener.
These tips will help not only the bees but also other important visitors to the garden, such as butterflies. Planting plants and creating a sustainable ecosystem is a huge advantage - scientific research has shown that working in the garden increases happiness, improves he alth, teaches mindfulness and ensures well-being.
Endangered bees - how to help them?
More and more organizations and companies are joining the efforts to protect these beneficial insects, including Fiskars, which has introduced planting and sowing tools to its offer and undertakes activities to promote bee-friendly gardens.
One of the activities supported by Fiskars is theTAK dlaBszczół program where ideas are combined with expert knowledge, training, as well as help and education.It is a place where every beekeeper and every "honey eater" will find something for themselves. It is a friendly space to learn about the habits of bees and wild pollinators, and through discussion also each other.
TheTAKdlaBeeprogram was created by specialists in the field of beekeeping, herbalism, dietetics, landscape architecture and veterinary medicine.TAKdlaPszczół is a non-profit activity carried out by its originator Rafał Szela and the Pro Regione Association he co-founded. It is an organization that has been successfully conducting its educational activities for over 12 years. The Association aims to establish a Bee Bank. It is a reserve of specially bred and selected bees, always ready to support beekeepers in crisis situations. The bank will start its operations in the second half of this year in order to achieve full ability to provide free assistance within the next two years.
Check how to supportYESforBee Bees at the link.
