About bees

twopenny · 22 July at 12:51PM

I've always deadhead plants to get more flowers or just to tidy up and tried to plant so there's something flowering all year as insects can be woken by a warm winter spell.

But there was a bit more about them on the BBC new website

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c141lymnl2yo

So watering the plants is important as well. I've also added feed for flowers in the hope it will hasten new ones forming.

Does anyone else have information so we can improve matters?

Brie · 22 July at 1:34PM

having water available is helpful. I finally have a real birdbath which of course the birds love but I noticed a bee stopping for a drink the other day. I had heard they did this but it's the first time I witnessed it myself. It wasn't one of the furry ones (too busy on my lavender!!) but interesting nonetheless.

One thing I have noticed as well and haven't resolved is that the water gets quite warm. The shallow bowl is in full sun for most the day and so the best I've managed is to refill in early afternoons.

twopenny · 23 July at 9:23AM

And something else to consider. Hedgehogs.

I had noticed mine were digging out the gravel drain at the side of the house which has never happened before. I've tried to put water at ground level but I tend to forget and it evaporates quickly on the hot ground. And sadly it's very warm water.

Off to do it now as we continue to have hot sunny weather down south.