THE GOOD EARTH
Building Habitat for Native Bees
This year, gardening has been taken up by many people who have never gardened before.
But that’s not all, worm farming, keeping chickens and bee-keeping have become more popular because people are spending more time at home.
You probably know there are honey bees and Australian native bees.
But which type of bees pollinate your crops better or is there no difference?
Let’s find out..
I'm talking with Margaret Mossakowska of www.mosshouse.com.au
Margaret suggests build habitat for the native bees because they are so much better at pollinating your flowers, in particular veggies in the tomato family, than honey bees.
- Building native bee habitat can be bricks made from clay, or wood and other materials.
Margaret's Clay Bricks Recipe
Mix clay with water then 2 or 3 parts of sand.
Margaret then pours the mix into moulds. One litre milk containers say from rice milk.
When dry she drills various size holes into these 'clay' bricks and places them strategically around the garden.
- For 'blue banded bees,' or even 'teddy bear bees,' drill holes 6mm in size and 6cm deep. The bees will excavate the holes further.
- Bees will also next in bricks where the mortar has worn out.
Most native bees are dormant or die during the Australian winters.
Flower are important from spring onwards.
Plant flowering trees with small flowers such as melaleucas or paperbarks.
- Borage is also an excellent plant for bees because it has a high percentage of protein and sugar in the pollen and nectar.
- Perennial basil is also fantastic for not only attracting bees but hover flies and other beneficial insects to the garden.
- Why not also let some parsley or coriander go to seed.
- Provide some water for the bees-not deep, and include some pebbles so the bees don't drown. Plant saucers are ideal for this purpose.
If you have questions for Margaret about keeping native bees, or have information to share, drop us a line to realworldgardener@gmail.com
