Happy World Bee Day!

If you’ve ever met me in real life (or seen my Instagram profile), you likely know I’m a bee person. I grew up with a hive of bees that my dad kept (I still remember the sticky kitchen floors the first time we tried spinning it ourselves), and I was a beekeeper for a very short amount of time (more on that later), but even more than that, I love the drive bees have in doing their thing. They quite literally make the world go round.

So, on this very World Bee Day, I wanted to share a few ways to help bees this summer.

But first, a sneak peek into my upcoming children’s book, The ABCs of Homesteading for Kids (released in summer 2024), because of course, I have a page dedicated to honey bees: 

How to Help the Bees:

1. Make a bee sanctuary. Find a corner in your yard (or patio/porch) to dedicate some space to the bees. Plant bee-loving plants and set up a bee bath (shallow water with pebbles for landing). These small things help give bees a boost after a long day or working outside in the heat. 
2. Go chemical-free. Avoid the use of chemicals in your garden, yard, and food. Synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and neonicotinoids harm bees, wreaking havoc on their sensitive systems.
3. Purchase local honey. I always advocate supporting local as much as possible; it’s crucial for the bees. Find a local farmer’s market or farm-focused store and support your local beekeepers! Bonus: raw honey may help with your allergies. 
4. Plant flowering trees. I like any good excuse to plant a tree, especially one with multiple benefits. Flowering trees provide more sources of nectar and pollen for bees. Plus, they’re really pretty.
5. Educate, donate, and volunteer. One of the most important things we can do is educate others (I’m thinking about our kids!) on bees, their role, and how we can help them. 

How are you helping bees this month? Tell me in the comments, shout it from the rooftops, and share it on Instagram. Don’t forget — you don’t have to wait for a World Bee Day (or Honey Bee Day coming up in August) to celebrate and give back to the bees.