P2976

Gardening for Beneficial Bees in Mississippi

As a result of the rise in pollinator health awareness, more people want to help bees, but not necessarily keep them. If you fall into this category and you have a bit of a green thumb, you can help our honey-making friends and their native bee cousins by growing a pollinator garden that is rich in bee forage. Most home gardens contain at least a few species of plants that provide high-quality food for bees, but these gardens may lack the quantity, variety, or seasonal availability of blooming plants needed to draw large numbers and abundant species of bees to them. A good pollinator garden will cater to the foraging preferences and behavior of bees rather than the aesthetic preference of the homeowner—although both needs can be simultaneously and beautifully met with thoughtful planning and an understanding of a few bee-ssential elements.

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Publication 2976 (POD-08-25)

By Audrey B. Sheridan, Extension/Research Associate III, Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Health Promotion.