Bumble bee qeen awakening after underground winter diapause

Save the Stems

While some bees burrow, others prefer a cozy home in a hollow stem. Many solitary bees, such as leafcutter bees, nest inside hollow-stemmed plants. The broken stems left over from last year's garden are prime real estate.

We recommend leaving these stems standing until later in the summer to give all the developing bees a chance to safely emerge.

If you want to clear the stems to make way for new growth, do not throw them in the compost! Instead, gently cut them and lay them at the base of your plants or tuck them into a brush pile. This ensures any overwintering bees still tucked inside won't be accidentally destroyed.

Fueling Up: The Dandelion Myth

When bees finally emerge, they are hungry and need to start gathering resources to raise their brood. Planting early-blooming native plants, such as saskatoon berry, male poplar, and crocus, provides an essential, high-quality food source.

As the weather warms up and we get the itch to start tidying our gardens, it is the perfect time to think about our local pollinators. Spring is a critical transition period for bees, and a few simple adjustments to your yard work routine can make a world of difference for their survival.

Here is how you can support our native bees this season:

Leave the Leaves

Did you know that many bees, including bumble bee queens, spend the long winter hibernating beneath the surface of the soil? A healthy layer of dropped leaves acts as a crucial insulating blanket. This natural mulch prevents them from being exposed to late-spring freezing temperatures, dramatically increasing their chances of survival. Before you rake, consider leaving those leaves a little longer!

Goldenrod is a native plant whose nectar is not only loved by many pollinators, but also has hollow stems that provide crucial nesting habitat for solitary bees when the stems dry out!

You might have heard that dandelions are an important early food source for bees. It is time to bust a common gardening trap: dandelions are not the superfood some may think they are. While it is true that they bloom early when food is scarce, dandelion pollen is effectively junk food for bees. It lacks essential nutrients, is low in protein, and is missing essential amino acids that bees need to raise healthy brood. While you don't necessarily have to eradicate every dandelion, focusing on planting native, early-blooming shrubs and flowers is the best way to truly nourish your local bee population.

This spring, let's embrace a more natural garden. By holding off on the heavy cleanup, we can give our vital pollinators the safe haven and proper nutrition they need to thrive!