• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Home Hardware Mark’s Choice
    • New Products
    • Hand Tools
    • Cutting Tools
    • Boots and Gloves
    • Hose and Watering Accessories
    • Bird Feeders and Bird Seed
    • Container Gardening
    • Seeds and Bulbs
    • Plant Supports
    • Gardening Accessories
  • CIL Iron Plus
    • C-I-L Iron Plus Lawn Fertilizers
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
March 19, 2015

For the Bees

IMG_9041 (1280x960)
There is a lot of controversy floating around the use of neonicotinoid [‘neonics’] based pesticides in agriculture. Frankly I am unsure what the answer is with regards to ‘ban or not to ban’ the substances as I am not a scientist and I have not studied the issue in great detail. I will leave this one to people who are devoting their work to doing the right thing and let our democratic system do its work, imperfect as it might be.

One thing that I know for sure is that Canadian gardeners can make a measurable and significant difference to the bee population and, for that matter, the population of pollinators generally. What you plant has an impact! Here is a short list of my favourite native plants that provide powerful pull where pollinators are concerned [try saying that fast 5 times!]

Echinacea: Great for full sun to partial shade. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Coneflowers will bloom from midsummer through fall. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong the flowering period. Hardy to zone 3.

Yarrow: Plant in full sun. Expect blooms by mid-summer. A fragrant flower which attracts bees and butterflies. Yarrow is deer resistant and tolerates dry conditions once established. Hardy to zone 3.

Bee Balm: A true magnet for bees. Prefers a location in full sun. Will tolerate partial shade. Blooms mid to late summer. Deer resistant and excellent for cutting. Hardy to zone 3.

Sunflowers: Though not native, you have to try these to attract a horde of pollinating bees! Sow seeds directly in the garden as soon as all danger of frost has passed. Plant in full sun. Sunflowers produce deep roots to anchor the plant. Loosen the soil to a depth of 24” (60cm) and amend with sandy loam before planting.

As a Consumer
I would love to think that organic farming is the solution. It is, in fact, how many people grow food (myself included). Truth is we are not there yet as a country. Organic farming, and I can attest to this, often results in fruits and vegetables that are not the “perfect” specimens we are used to seeing in grocery stores. There is nothing wrong with the food per se; it might just have a little blight spot or insect damage. Or, like this carrot that grew around a rock in the best way it knew how.

IMG_6191 (1280x960)
As consumers, we need to recognize that this food is edible and see past these imperfections. Loblaws is moving towards a cultural shift by featuring these items in their store. It’s definitely a start!

Do yourself a favour though: check out that “imperfect” food and if you don’t see it offered in your favourite grocery store, ask for it.

← Previous post
From Sap to Syrup

Next post →
Come on, Spring!

Search

Recent Posts

  • Around the Acres This Week February 2, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020
  • Around the Acres this Week November 2, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark CullenFollow

Mark Cullen
1 Mar

The March issue of Gardening with Mark and Ben is available now. https://conta.cc/3b1Bcn2

Reply on Twitter 1366391953886240768Retweet on Twitter 13663919538862407682Like on Twitter 136639195388624076812
25 Feb

Make sure you check out Toronto's Virtual Seedy Saturday coming up this weekend, complete with a very impressive roster of events http://seedysaturday.ca/toronto/ #seedysaturday

Reply on Twitter 1365024629199433728Retweet on Twitter 13650246291994337283Like on Twitter 13650246291994337288
24 Feb

This week we're talking front yard gardening, and a review of @thatTaraNolan 's new book on the topic https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/02/23/heres-how-to-grow-your-front-yard-garden.html

Reply on Twitter 1364412643856031747Retweet on Twitter 136441264385603174711Like on Twitter 136441264385603174721
20 Feb

Thanks so much, Niki. We are enjoying podcasts more and more all the time - honoured that Green File made the list. Great stuff here.

Reply on Twitter 1362954664359133185Retweet on Twitter 1362954664359133185Like on Twitter 13629546643591331857

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods Share Agriculture Foundation Harrowsmith
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑