BBKA

• Gardening for bees

  Woodland, hedgerows, meadows and verges have been disappearing at an alarming rate and parts of the countryside are now green deserts with very few wild flowers so bees need your help!    You can help the bees, all the bees, honey bees, bumblebees and solitary bees, by planting more flowers for them to feed on. It doesn't matter if your garden is a balcony, allotment, window box, pots and tubs or a swathe of green open space; with a bit of thought pollinators can benefit from a banquet of pollen and nectar right throughout the year.  Choose plants with single, open flowers for easy access to the pollen and nectar. Top Ten flowers to attract honey bees: Hellebore species and hybrids Helleborus species are tolerant of most conditions but they prefer moist, well drained alkaline soil in dappled shade.  Salvia species Salvias are sun-loving plants and good drainage is essential. They look very striking in a mixed border....

• Seasonal Planting for Thriving Bees and Pollinators

  Written by David Domoney. There are few things more joyful in the garden than the gentle hum of bees moving from flower to flower. Whether you’re growing fruit and veg, filling borders with summer colour, or pottering about with a few containers, bees bring life and purpose to our plots. And it’s not just honeybees. Our gardens support bumblebees, solitary bees, and other beneficial pollinators like hoverflies, moths and butterflies. As a gardener, one of the best things you can do is provide a steady supply of nectar and pollen throughout the year. By choosing the right plants in each season, you’ll help pollinators to stay fed, sheltered, and thriving. Here is how to plant with pollinators in mind, season by season. Top tips for planting to support bees and pollinators Choose single-flowered varieties for better nectar access. Avoid pesticide use and go organic where possible. Mix native and non-native species for a longer fl...

• The beekeeping year

• Becoming a Beekeeper

• Spring Convention

  Beekeeping can be a great benefit to schools and can have a huge impact on pupils.