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Garden experts encourage homeowners to help our struggling pollinators because bees need to expend a lot of energy just to stay cool during hot weather.
Popular gardener and horticulturist Frances Tophill has teamed up with the Chef & Brewer Collection to provide guidance on how to create a biodiverse garden that supports bees and wildlife.
According to Inside Climate News, bee populations declined by 46 percent at the beginning of this century, so it’s important to do what you can to help.
Native British Wildlife
The news comes after new research from Chef & Brewer Collection revealed that bees are the UK’s favourite insect, with two thirds (66%) of Brits voting for them. The data comes from a survey of 2,000 adults in the UK conducted by Prolific in May 2024.
Here are Frances’ best tips for helping bees this summer.
How to help the UK’s bee population
Rewilding
When it comes to helping bees, doing nothing can go a long way. This is called rewilding.
Over-maintained and manicured gardens often lack the element of biodiversity in green spaces: a variety of plants.
Actively allowing designated areas in your garden to grow wild will naturally invite many different species of wildlife, from insects to birds, to come through your back door without any effort on your part.
Life in the Pond
Ponds are an unrivalled source of biodiversity in the garden.
If you have a pond in your garden, you can expect to see creatures such as the common frog, large swimming beetles, pond skaters and even a rare salamander or two.
How to Get Rid of These Common Garden Pests
Let it grow
The simplest way the British do their part is to deliberately create “messy corners” in the garden.
Francis recommends avoiding lawn mowers in May to help ground-nesting bees and backyard biodiversity.
When you finally mow the grass, be careful to make sure there are no critters hiding.
Flower Power
Another tip from Frances is to plant flowers in your garden that pollinators prefer, such as lavender for bees.
The flowers often attract and provide food for pollinators, and later in the season also produce seeds for birds.
Grow your own food
Growing your own fruits and vegetables will attract insects, bees and butterflies to your garden, which can pollinate your plants.
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Mollie Smith, marketing manager for Chef & Brewer Collection, said: “This summer marks the start of a thriving partnership with award-winning gardener Frances Tophill. Frances is working with us to help make our garden even better, more seasonal and more diverse.
“We have worked with Francis to develop a broad commitment to gardens, setting out the principles for a sustainable British garden.
“We look forward to welcoming many guests to our Chef & Brewer Collection garden to enjoy the outdoors or celebrate summer with a cool drink.”
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