These recent super snowy days have led my imagination to the prospects of spring and the possibilities for setting up a spring garden. Aside from the gardening options, I’m excited about the possibility of creating a hospitable backyard habitat for some wilder critters for everyone’s benefit.
First, I intend to order a mason bee house and some mason bees. Mason bees aren’t colonial like European honey bees and they don’t sting unless actively provoked. Since they’re solitary, mason bees do not build hives. Instead, females lay eggs within a mason bee house and the new adults hatch from their cocoons the following spring. These bees are excellent pollinators, so your garden flowers will be pleased. And if all that isn’t enough to get you onto the mason bee bandwagon – mason bee houses make for a unique, attractive addition to any garden. They’re natural conversation starter, and with lots of funky designs on the market, you’ll be sure to find one that suits your style and budget. Read more »
