Plants to help our friends the bees

Le Jardin d'Emma Plantes Mellifères

Dear Val and Malc,

It is now that really exciting time of year, good sunny days maybe followed by dull rainy ones but everywhere we look new life is growing and with it all the insects are appearing. I took Muppy (the dog) for along walk in the bottom field at the weekend and at one point it was difficult to walk because of the solitary bees erupting from their little nests in the ground! We have been lucky in that the local farmer hasn't sprayed these fields with chemicals and so the insect life is flourishing . The almond tree in the garden is alive with all manner of critters flitting and buzzing and if you climb up the tree you can join their world , all the life buzzing around your ears, all of them so intent that they don't even notice you! I can 'waste' hours peeping into their world,( actually not hours wasted at all but good educational time). 

                           Now, more than ever, we should be thinking of our bees and pollinators, the situation is dire, chemicals, frelons, loss of habitat are all to blame. I could rattle on for hours but I won't because  wringing our hands and 'saying what can we do?' wont help the situation. We can all do something in our own way, especially if we live in a village or a town. Beekeepers are being encouraged to keep hives in these places but the bees will still need food and shelter.That is where you come in! stop using pesticides, love your weeds or allow an area where some can flourish,as the majority of 'weeds' are essential to bees and pollinators, the dandelion so hated by many gardeners, is an important nectar source in April when there is not much else around.  

    But better still, start a bee, pollinator garden , it's that easy! Nothing difficult. 

   For the last few years this has been my aim, my love of growing things and my love of insects created my business and so Le Jardin d'Emma Plantes mellifères was born. 

      The show season has now started ,so if you are interested in learning more or in starting your own bee 'haven' come and see me, talk plants, plan for the future, or just come and give me some support it would be appreciated!  

I shall be at the following shows in the near future,

22nd of March at the Foire aux plantes, Colomiers (Toulouse) this at the Parc Duroch  .

5th of April at the Chateau de Piquecos ,82130 Piquecos

25th and 26th April at Fourcès 32250

2nd and 3rd of May at the Abbaye de Fontfroid at Narbonne

It would be lovely to meet and talk gardens

I can also be contacted on 09 88 66 45 32   or by e-mail

Thanks Emma
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