You don’t need a massive garden or acres of land to help pollinators thrive. Here are a few practical ways to create a bee-friendly environment:

• Plant for All Seasons: Choose a variety of nectar-rich flowers that bloom from early spring through to autumn. Native wildflowers, lavender, salvias, and single-open dahlias are great choices that give bees a steady food supply.

• Provide Shade and Water: Just like us, bees need to stay hydrated during warm spells. Leaving out a shallow dish filled with small stones or pebbles and a little water gives bees a safe spot to drink without drowning.

• Leave a Little Area Wild: Letting a small patch of grass grow longer or leaving fallen leaves in a corner of the garden creates essential shelter and nesting spots for queens and solitary bees.

• Ditch the Chemicals: Avoid using synthetic pesticides or weedkillers in your garden, as these can harm beneficial insects.