When making plans to have a bountiful harvest of vegetables, fruits and honey, keep in mind the necessary pollinators that make or break the quantity and variety of what is gathered at the end of the growing season. Nothing says that the warm growing season is here faster than a bumble bee bouncing from spring flowers and blossoms. If the garden has plenty of sun and good soil and water, yet the vegetables and fruits are not appearing, look to the pollinator. Their absence can decrease or even prevent these valuable home products from thriving.

According to Backyard Beekeepers Association, pollinating consists of moving the pollen from the male structure of the plant to the female. Though some crops like wheat, oats, and corn are pollinated by the wind, many garden plants also require insect pollination. Our food variety would be decreased significantly without these busy little insects. Zucchini, pumpkins, cucumber, apple, cherries and peaches for example require pollination. Increased pollination also increases yields of peppers and tomatoes. Crops such as peas and beans also require pollination. So, if strawberries are small and misshapen or cucumbers are bitter, attract some pollinators to improve the quality. Take some time to watch your garden for the activity of bugs, butterflies and bees. If little to no activity is noted, it is time to take steps to attract pollinators.

“Any plant that flowers,” said Brian Horne, “will attract a pollinator.” He said that bees are the best pollinators as they are not eating the plants as they move from flower to flower. Their buzzing rubs their pollen-gathering legs in the flower centers efficiently gathering and spreading the genetic material. “Bees will also sting soft fruit,” said Horne, “gathering the juice that they bring back to the hive to make honey.” Though it is difficult to get honey to taste like clover, lavender or sage, peach juice can infuse its taste in the honey. So, fruit trees with their spring blossoms and seasonal fruit rely on pollinators and also attract them. Horne is a fan of homegrown honey which he believes may help lessen allergies, enhance immune function, treat coughs and serve as a very nutritious food, full of vitamins and enzymes, in times of need. Aiming for flowers that bloom throughout the growing season is best. Susan Ricks, an avid gardener cares for plants that bloom throughout the season. She sees the most bees on her Russian Sage. David Price, who landscapes for Layton Parks, loves the Dark Knight Bluebeard flowering bush that is often teeming with pollinators. Apricot trees that bloom earliest are most likely to not be pollinated because of the cooler temperatures. Taking a cotton swab or paintbrush and acting like a pollinator as it goes from flower to flower can set fruit where desired.

Backyard Beekeepers suggests avoiding the use of pesticides and fungicides that may also kill the needful pollinators. If they must be used choose less toxic ones like insecticidal soap and apply near dusk after the pollinators have retired for the day.