Pardon the weeds: why we let the flowers grow

Walk through Villa Bee in spring and you'll notice we don't mow very often. The dandelions, clover and wildflowers you might pull out of a lawn are some of the first meals our bees find after winter, when little else is blooming.

A honeybee colony needs a steady supply of nectar and pollen from early spring to fall. Nectar becomes honey, the colony's energy. Pollen is protein for raising young bees. Gaps in what's blooming are hard on a hive, and a patch of 'weeds' can bridge them.

Small ways to feed the bees

• Leave a corner of the yard unmowed, or mow a little less often in spring.
• Plant flowers that bloom at different times, so something is always open from spring through fall.
• Choose plants native to your area when you can; local bees know them best.
• Set out a shallow dish of water with stones or marbles in it, so bees can land and drink safely.
• Skip pesticides on anything in bloom.

Every one of these is part of what we mean by Plant the Future. If you'd like to help us create more pollinator habitat at the apiary, our Hive for the Holidays campaign runs through December 31.