Last week, The Wall Street Journal ran an article about Bee Gardens. In an effort to support the bee population in the face of Colony Collapse Disorder, pesticides, and destruction of natural habitat, home gardeners are working to plant native, bee-friendly plants and provide nesting materials for bees.

You can too. LifeCycles Project Society has instructions for making a bee box for your yard.

Plant asters, black-eyed Susan, Echinacea, and plants that are native to your area. Choose flowers in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes and plant them in sunny areas of your yard. If possible, leave the ground bare instead of covering with mulch. Many types of bees like to burrow in the ground, but mulch prevents them from doing so.

Most bees aren’t likely to sting unless they’re disturbed, so watch them quietly, and leave them alone. Of course, if you or someone in your family is allergic to bees, use extreme caution and make sure you always have an epi-pen or other prescribed medication on hand.

In addition to being bee-friendly, native plants are beautiful and easier to care for. Enjoy your bee garden!

Thanks, Mike!

Another Eco-Friendly Tip from Allie