Celebrate Bees
In the early spring, when the apple, peach and cherry trees are blossoming I keep the bees interested in pollinating the fruit trees by cutting the grass very short. This keeps the dandelions down until after the trees have finished blooming. It’s my trick to get bigger fruit crops.
Later in the spring there are still plenty of dandelions to keep the bees happy . And there's a variety of clovers and flowers planted for the bees, too. It’s a pollinator paradise.
Bee Friendly
On a trip to Seed Savers Exchange I bought Blue Boy Bachelor’s Button, Lambs Ear, and Heritage Farm Poppy seeds. The bees love these.
On our farm the pollinators are safe from pesticides and herbicides. We’re an organic farm, it’s all about health and quality of life.
Recipes to Help Both You and the Bees
Honey Lemonade
This lemonade is a great energy booster. Not only does it taste great it helps the honey bees and your local beekeeper.
- 1 cup Fresh squeezed lemon Juice (if you don’t have a citrus juicer this one works great)
- 1 cup local honey (support a local beekeeper, don’t by commercial honey, It's probably not be real honey, anyway)
- 6 cups water
- Put the honey and lemon juice in a blender and mix at high-speed for one minute.
- Pour into a pitcher, add water and ENJOY!
- You can add fresh fruit, raspberries or strawberries taste great. Adding ginger or mint is an extra tasty treat, too.
- Meyer lemons make this even better, they’re sweeter than regular lemons. When they’re available buy them in bulk and freeze the juice.
Bug Jugs and Bee Safe Herbicide
Plant bee friendly gardens and keep them pesticide free. These recipes protect your fruit trees and kill weeds without using glyphosate.
Save the Bees!