How to Attract Bees to Your Garden

Step1

Pick a spot for your bee garden that will get plenty of sun.

Step2

Plant plenty of May Night Salvia or sage. During the summer our honey bees were flocking to these plants. At any given time, we could also spot large bumblebees on them. These plants will spread outward, therefore allow plenty of room for them to grow. Pick the plants that will have the bluish purple blooms. Forego the salvia with red blooms.

Step3

Plant plenty of oregano. I've noticed lots of bees on ours. Again, oregano spreads so give it plenty of room to grow.

Step4

Plant several purple coneflower plants also called Echinacea. Sniff the brown area of this plant. You can smell the sweetness and bees love it.

Step5

If you have a vegetable garden, be sure to plant your bee garden close by. The bees will frequent the vegetables in addition to the flowers. They tend to drift from area to area and bees are essential in pollinating squash. Bees also love pea blooms.

Step6

Please do not use pesticides. This is one reason we are seeing bees die off. Bring in ladybugs instead if you need to eradicate pests.

Step7

Don't forget to water often. Bees won't mind this, in fact they'll return shortly after watering. If you let the plants die, the bees will leave!

Step8

Whatever you do, please do not swat at or try to step on bees. Just let bees bee!

How to Prolong the Life of Fresh Flowers

Step1

Choose any one of the following to maintain your freshly cut flowers as long as possible.

Step2

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda - Add in one teaspoon for every quart of water. Aspirin - Drop in 2 tablets, whole or crushed, for every quart of water.

Step3

Alka Seltzer - Drop in 1 or 2 tablets for every quart of water.Salt - Add 1/2 teaspoon for every quart of water.

Step4

Hydrogen Peroxide - Place one cap full for every quart of water. Listerine Mouth Wash - Place 1/2 teaspoon per quart of water.

Step5

Vinegar & Sugar - Add in 2 tablespoons vinegar and 2 tablespoons sugar per quart of water. 7-UP Soda - Add 1 art 7-UP for every 2 parts water.