Attracting bees to my allotment

[Peony]

I'd like to attract some bees to my allotment. I'm thinking about growing a climber up the side of the shed. Is this a good or bad idea? Any advice would really be appreciated!

If this is a good idea... what kind of climber would you suggest? A clematis, honeysuckle or something else? I think the planting position would be south/west, so it gets plenty of sun mid-late afternoon.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[DavidT]

Why not grow some runner beans against the shed? They will do the same job AND you`ll get a crop.

[Peony]

Originally Posted by DavidT

Why not grow some runner beans against the shed? They will do the same job AND you`ll get a crop.

That's a good idea, I hadn't thought of that... there isn't much space though, there is a bed about 5ft long x 1ft wide max. Would that be enough space? Sorry for all the questions!

[DavidT]

That`s masses of room, you could even get some lettuce in front of the beans.

[Peony]

Thank you so much, that's excellent. I'm so glad that I joined this site! My allotment is going to be much better than I first thought!

[DavidT]

Just keep posting the questions, it keeps my old brain active.

[Peony]

Hi David... I'm back to pick those brains!! (and less of the old! )

I've cleared a bit more the allotment this evening and found some rhubbarb... it needs to be moved because it's right in the middle at the moment. Do you think it would be ok growing somewhere (probably towards one end) in the bed next to the shed? I'm not sure if it'll have enough room to spread out... what do you think?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Peony, rhubarb is darn near bomb proof! On one allotment plot we had there were rows and rows of rhubarb which all had to be dug out and dumped. There must have been over 100 crowns dumped in a pile - our new allotment neighbour had a few. What happened next year?? It all grew!! No soil, not planted, but the darn stuff grew again and our neighbour couldn't be bothered to plant his and that grew aswell. When you dig the crown up get the spade and force it through the middle of the crown to split it - then you will have two rhubarb crowns!

[DavidT]

As you may have worked out from Lesleys post, you shouldn`t have a problem.

[Peony]

That's excellent, thanks... I'm going to move it at the weekend!

[Hollie the Wollie]

I have two Chives in my garden and at one point there were loads of Bees on the flowers, over 10 (I think, they wouldnt keep still to let me count them!). They seem to love it... and you get chives for salads and stuff!

[Newtothis]

Hollie, how long have you had your chives? I bought mine as a plant this year and it's nicely established, but was wondering where the flowers were. Do they have to be around for a year or so before anything?

[Newtothis]

Oh yes back to the thread, borage is great for bees....and you can eat the flowers too. Some people think it's ugly but I'm loving mine, very pretty colour of flowers and it keeps producing more seedlings for me to plant elsewhere

[Peter Chapman]

I would grow anything that flowers that would give you a crop. Peas, beans.....to break the rule I always have sweat peas..the smell is great.

Lavender is great for bees - so if you plan to use Lavender in the home - lots of uses...then a Lavender hedge would be a very good way to attract bees.

Honeysuckle will bring you moths as well and a lovely smell in the evenings...

[EdisonCheug]

Originally Posted by Peter Chapman

I would grow anything that flowers that would give you a crop. Peas, beans.....to break the rule I always have sweat peas..the smell is great.

Lavender is great for bees - so if you plan to use Lavender in the home - lots of uses...then a Lavender hedge would be a very good way to attract bees.

Honeysuckle will bring you moths as well and a lovely smell in the evenings...

yep, not only bees, but crops!
therere so many beautiful mind here in the forum.

[Mrs Dobby]

Best way we've found to attract bees to the plot is to start beekeeping! We started last year with 3 hives, and now have 7 hives, not cheap but definitely enjoyable, plus fantastic pollination all over our allotment site!

If you dont want to keep them yourself, then consider allowing (if you can get permission from the allotment committee / council) a friendly beekeeper to base a couple of hives on your plot, not only would you get the pollination, but also a share of the honey! Try contacting your local BBKA for any advice or help!

HTH

[MatthewWilliam]

The best plant that I have ever seen for attracting bees is Echium Fatuosum. Sedum spectabile is good too, especially as it's a late summer plant and bees are feeding up for the winter.

[Ever Green]

Can I just add that very early and very late flowering plants are essential for bees. Most gardens and parks have summer flowering plants already but not at the extremes of the seasons. Bees and insects need all the help we can give them. I found a large bee in my garden about 6 weeks ago. It was very sluggish and looked like it was dying. It couldn’t fly. It had no pollen on it's legs. I went to the kitchen and grabbed a jar of honey. I put the bee in a jar with a small dollop of honey. Ha ha, it made a "bee line" to the honey and licked at it with its tongue. I was amazed at how much it ate. It licked it’s self clean and within minutes started buzzing round the jar. I think it was starving! It felt very good to see it flying off into the sky. Many exeptions, but most wide flat flowers will do the job.