COUNTING BEES FOR 2021

These early blooming crocus bulbs are extremely important food sources especially during these times of climate change. These nectar and pollen filled plants can handle the higher than normal heat ups as well as the the plunging cold. Once temps rise above 50 degrees, our native bees emerge and need food.

One's landscape should contain 70% percent native plants, trees, and shrubs at a minimum. However, additional annuals and non-natives like this heirloom crocus can be very beneficial as long as they aren't invasive.

Although I have planted native spring ephemerals, they are harder to grow in my urban yard. They don't like being crowded, they require a moister soil than I have here-- so I added many crocus bulbs through-out the lawn to help offset the lack of spring ephemerals-- and so far, I don't regret it!

My first bee charted for 2021, emerged on the unseasonally warm day of March 11! This is my third bee, which visited on the unseasonally warm day of March 17th.  Check out the pollen sacs on that bee! Without food sources like this crocus, it could make finding food much more difficult, if not impossible.