Spring Buzz – how we can help our bees

During the current lockdown that we find ourselves in - along with the good weather we have been having - it is unsurprising that many of us are enjoying time in our gardens. This is a good thing. Spending time in nature is never time wasted. Many gardens have never had so much attention lavished upon them. Planting, pruning, painting, cultivating, cutting and sowing are being carried out in abundance. However, it is important that we do not allow our idle hands to counter nature's efforts to rouse itself from its winter slumber. Nature's spring heralds have already made themselves known with their beautiful birdsong and buzzing. Our bees and other pollinators are an incredible boon to us and to our environment. Farmers who grow apples and strawberries are reliant on pollinators who ensure successful harvests. Nearly 80% of Ireland's wild plants depend on these pollinators whose efforts help flowering trees and hedgerows, which are an important source of food and shelter for many of our insects, birds and mammals. They are such a significant component of nature's intricate and finely-balanced network.

Unfortunately, these little bees and other pollinators whom we rely on so heavily, need our help. There is quite simply not enough food for them to survive and their numbers are declining year on year. Spring is a vital time for them as they come out of hibernation - they are understandably famished. Many of our nectar-rich flowers, which they depend on, do not bloom until the summer. So, we need to help them during spring. How you ask? Easy, do nothing. Yes, nothing. Of course, you could plant spring blooming plants and trees such as: rosemary, willow and apple; but if you would rather do nothing, then that would suit the bees just fine. Doing nothing primarily entails not cutting your grass. Doing this - or not doing this as the case may be - allows the wonderfully coloured dandelions and daisies to rise above the grass canopy and greet the world with a big smile. So don't mow them down; rather, smile back at them and know that by simply allowing them to be, they are providing much needed nectar for our pollinator allies in an otherwise resource scarce landscape.

Should you find your interest piqued, head on over to www.pollinators.ie where you will find a treasure-trove of information, advice and tips on what you can do to help our beleaguered but brilliant, bitsy bees.

Barry Smith