Easy Recipes From The Garden

One of every three bites the average American eats is directly attributed to honey bee pollination. More than 25% of the U.S. honey bee population has disappeared over the last several winters. This affects many nut, fruits and berry crops – important produce for farmers and food manufacturers, and key ingredients in many of the most popular Häagen-Dazs flavors. The ice cream maker reports that researchers believe causes for the decline in the bee population include:

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). More than 35 states across the continental United States and in two provinces in Canada, Belgium, and Spain have reported this condition.

Varroa Mites – Inadvertently introduced into the United States in 1987, these tiny brown parasites feed exclusively on honey bees.

Viruses– Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) is linked with CCD.

Chemical Exposure – Tests on pollen in CCD-affected hives show levels of 45 different types of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides.

Lack of Nutrition – A limited supply of good pollen and nectar (due to drought) has had an effect on the honey bee population.

So what can we as gardeners do to help the honey bees? Create a bee-friendly garden with plants that are attractive to honey bees. Plants that are bee-friendly include lavender, jasmine, rosemary, violets, thyme, blue bells, wisteria, cone flowers and sunflowers – common and easy to grow perennials and herbs that will both add beauty to your garden and bees to the environment.

Consider planting one or a variety of these plants and help the dwindling honey bee population.

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