During these periods, food sources are relatively scarce, and growing plants such as these will greatly help the first bees emerging from hibernation. Secondly, when selecting plants, remember that old fashioned, open, single-petal varieties are better than highly cultivated, very frilly, complex types with lots of petals. Highly cultivated flowers often contain less nectar and pollen, and densely-packed petals can make it more difficult for bees to gain access for foraging. Also, try to include a few wildflowers in your garden if you can, such as Teasels, Vetches, Clover and Birds Foot Trefoil.

Another thing you can do to help bees and other insects, is to leave out pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, which are systemic. The invertebrates conservation charity, Buglife, along with others such as the Soil Association, are calling for them to be suspended.

Neonicotinoid chemicals include: imidacloprid, acetimacloprid, clothianidin, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran and nitenpyram. Some of these chemicals can be found in many popular household garden pesticides. You can find a list of some of these brands on the soil association website. Having investigated the approval system for these pesticides, Buglife have found the system to be inadequate for testing the safety of this class of chemicals. Meanwhile, independent scientific research has revealed that even microscopic quantities are toxic for bees. We can manage without these pesticides after all, we didnt always have them! But we do need our bees!

Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)

Lily Of The Valley (Convallaria majalis)

Sweet Violets (Viola odorata)

You may wish to encourage bees to set up a nest in your garden. Species of solitary bee, such as leafcutter and mason bees, can be quite easily attracted with a bundle of hollow canes. Ensure the canes are a minimum 10cm in length, but preferably longer. I have had leafcutters nesting in my garden for several years, but this year I tried an experiment. As well as their usual bee house a shop bought affair, consisting of logs with holes drilled into it, I provided hollow canes, thicker than standard canes, with holes about 1.5cm in diameter, and about 30cm in length. The result? My shop-bought nest was abandoned in favour of the canes! Having said that, it may take a year or two before your bee house is inhabited. After that, it will probably be occupied year after year.

Bumblebees can be rather picky. Some bumblebees like tussocks of grass, whilst others prefer abandoned rodent holes, but some will settle in bird boxes. I know of a few people who have tried shop-bought bumblebee houses, with limited success, but you can increase your chances by providing bedding (you can use hamster bedding; dried, chemical-free grass and moss), and find a secure shady spot, perhaps under the potting shed or similar. You could also experiment by making your own bumblebee nesting place, with a pile of logs or an upturned plant pot, again, in a shady area, away from ants and pets. Finally, why not help to raise awareness about what we all need to, and can do, to help our little pollinators. Spread the word to your friends and family, but also, why not write to your local council and MP, urging more bee-friendly planting schemes in public spaces, (many herbs would be great here!), wildflower verges, and a curbing on the use of pesticides.

According to the Grasslands Trust, we have lost about 98% of our wildflower habitats in the UK. Changing farming and land management practices, and building development have taken their toll. On the other hand, UK gardens take up more space than all of its nature reserves put together. In other words, by ensuring our gardens are feeding stations for bees and other pollinators, we can help to reverse some of these negative developments and why not? Theres nothing more wonderful than to sit out in the garden on a warm summer day, listening to the gentle busy buzz of bees among the flowers. Its an experience worth preserving for the future.

Amanda Wilson gives talks on bees and has written informal features about bees for some time now. She is a as a keen conservationist, campaigner and volunteer. Here website Buzz About Bees is dedicated to bees and is full of useful articles and informations.