May is a vital month for bees — it’s when they emerge in large numbers, looking for food after the long winter months. As a gardener, you have a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference by creating a space that welcomes and supports these essential pollinators.

Luckily, creating a bee-friendly garden is easier than you might think, and May is the perfect time to start. Here’s how to turn your garden into a buzzing paradise this spring!

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1. Plant the Right Flowers

The single best thing you can do for bees is to grow flowers that are rich in nectar and pollen.

✅ Top Bee-Friendly Plants to Plant in May:

• Lavender – Highly attractive to bees and smells amazing.
• Foxgloves – Tall spikes of nectar-rich bells.
• Alliums – Globe-shaped blooms packed with pollen.
• Salvia – Long flowering season and loved by pollinators.
• Borage – Produces masses of blue flowers that bees adore.
• Single-flowered Marigolds and Cosmos – Easier for bees to access than double varieties.
• Thyme, Sage, and Chives – Useful herbs that flower beautifully and support pollinators.

🌿 Tip: Single flowers are better than doubles — they make it easier for bees to reach the nectar.

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2. Offer a Variety of Blooms

✅ Aim for a succession of flowers from early spring right through to late autumn.
✅ Mix different shapes, colours, and heights to cater for different bee species.
✅ Plant in groups or drifts — bees prefer large patches of the same flower rather than one or two scattered around.

🌿 Tip: Even a small patch of diverse flowers can support dozens of different bee species.

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3. Leave Some Wild Spaces

Wild areas are brilliant for wildlife and require very little effort.

✅ Let parts of your lawn grow longer — especially during No Mow May.
✅ Leave patches of nettles and brambles (great for some butterfly and bee species).
✅ Create a mini meadow by scattering wildflower seeds over bare soil.

🌿 Tip: A pile of sticks, leaves, and twigs in a corner can provide vital nesting spots for solitary bees.

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4. Provide Water for Bees

Bees need fresh water to stay hydrated, especially during warmer weather.

✅ Place a shallow dish of water with some pebbles or stones for bees to land on.
✅ Refresh the water regularly to keep it clean.

🌿 Tip: A small, bee-safe water station can help a surprising number of pollinators!

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5. Avoid Using Pesticides

Many pesticides, especially insecticides, are harmful to bees.

✅ Choose organic gardening methods wherever possible.
✅ Encourage natural predators like ladybirds and birds to keep pest populations in check.
✅ Hand-remove problem pests rather than spraying.

🌿 Tip: If you absolutely must treat a problem, do it early in the morning or late evening, when bees are less active.

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6. Add Bee Hotels

Solitary bees, like mason bees and leafcutter bees, need places to nest.

✅ Install a bee hotel made of hollow canes or drilled wood.
✅ Position it in a sunny, sheltered spot, about 1 metre off the ground.

🌿 Tip: Avoid mass-produced hotels with tiny holes — bees prefer holes around 6–8mm in diameter.

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Bee-Friendly Garden Action Plan for May

Task	Action
Plant nectar-rich flowers	Lavender, foxgloves, alliums, salvia, herbs
Create wild areas	Longer grass, mini wildflower meadow
Provide water	Shallow dish with stones
Avoid chemicals	Choose organic pest control
Add bee homes	Install or make your own bee hotel

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Why Bee-Friendly Gardens Matter

✅ Bees are crucial pollinators, helping to grow the food we eat and supporting healthy ecosystems.
✅ Without them, many fruits, vegetables, and wild plants would struggle to reproduce.
✅ Bee populations are under threat from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change — but your garden can be part of the solution!

🌿 Even small changes make a big difference!

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Ready to Welcome Bees into Your Garden?

Creating a bee-friendly garden doesn’t just help pollinators — it also makes your garden more colourful, lively, and full of natural beauty.

Let’s make your garden a buzzing haven for bees this summer!