the essentials in brief
- Bee pastures should always be grown as an annual as they become weed heavily in the second year.
- Per square meter, 5 to 10g of seeds are given out, rolled and poured like a chessboard.
- The Veitshöchheimer mixtures are particularly popular Bee pasture, Bingenheimer Saatgut Bienenweide and Schönhangener Bienenweide.
Creating a bee pasture - tips for premium seeds
When choosing a bee pasture, the focus is on nectar content and abundance of pollen. Honey bees, wild bees and Bumblebees Doesn't matter the picturesque beauty of a plant, because it strives for a bubbling source of food. To the bee-friendly garden and to enrich the balcony with generous forage plants, the following table presents recommended seeds:
also read
- Planting tomatoes correctly - instructions for beds and balconies
- Blue rhomb - a delicious pasture for bees for many months
- Harvesting basil properly - instructions for bed and pot
| Surname | Location | suitable for | annual / multi-year | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veitshöchheimer bee pasture south | Sun | garden | Mix for one, two and several years | from 30 EUR / 1 kg sack |
| Kiepenkerl bee pasture | Sun to partial shade | Garden, open field | perennial | from 3.99 EUR / 5-8 m² |
| Mössinger bee pasture | Sun to partial shade | balcony | annual | from 5 EUR / 3 m² |
| Bingenheimer Saatgut bee pasture | Sun to partial shade | Open field, perennial bed | annual flower seeds | from 1.77 EUR / 4 m² |
| Dehner bee pasture | Sun | Garden, open field, perennial bed | annual flower seeds | from 3.99 EUR / 6 m² |
| Schönhagener bee pasture | Sun to partial shade | Garden, open spaces | annual flowering mix | from 10.60 EUR / 40 m² |
| Tübingen bee pasture | Sun to partial shade | Garden, Perennial bed, Open ground, strips of wood | annual flowering mix | from 12.30 EUR / 1 kg sack |
| Blooming bee pasture | Sun | Garden, bed, open field | annual flower mix | from 19.95 EUR / 1 kg sack |
| Syngenta insect splendor | Sun | Garden, perennial bed, open field | annual flowering mix | from EUR 3.45 / 1 kg sack |
Explanations of the seeds
The choice of seeds is great
The proven seed mix Veitshöchheimer Bienenweide is available in three variants. In addition to the seeds for sunny locations, there are seeds for Penumbra and shade, so that no gardener goes empty-handed. A particular advantage of the product is a balanced combination of annual and biennial flower seeds with wild herbs and perennials that are hardy and thrive for several years.
It has been found in practice that seed mixtures should always be cultivated as an annual, regardless of whether they contain perennial plant species. The massive weeds in the second year prompted experienced experts to make this recommendation.
The product name bee pasture hides the fact that a wide range of valuable beneficial insects also feed on the rich food supply. So don't be surprised if after the sowing Your favorite flower mix finds a colorful hodgepodge of bees, bumblebees, butterflies, hoverflies and other insects.
Flower mixes in the test
When beginners create a new bee pasture, they want to buy seeds that have proven themselves in the test. Individual experiences of individual hobby gardeners only help to a limited extent in the purchase decision, because local framework conditions, sowing and care have a decisive influence on the result. The findings of experienced experts from the Bavarian State Horticultural Institute are more meaningful. The gardeners sowed a commercial seed mixture on each square meter. The experts went out twice a day to count the humming peoples. Three flower mixtures were particularly popular with bees, bumblebees and butterflies:
- Veitshöchheimer bee pasture
- Bingenheimer Saatgut bee pasture
- Schönhangener bee pasture
The Veitshöchheim bee pasture is particularly popular with bees
Furthermore, the experts counted a colorful dance of wings Beneficial insects, such as hoverflies, lacewings, dragonflies, and ladybugs.
Tips
Primarily flowers and perennials with simple blossoms are suitable as bee pastures. Dense double flowers may be a feast for the eyes. For busy honey and wild bees, the boastful flower shapes are of course a bitter disappointment, because nectar and pollen are in short supply here.
Creating a bee pasture - sowing instructions
When to sow a bee pasture depends on the local climatic conditions. Experience has shown that the time window opens in spring after the end of the main frost period. In principle, sowing is possible all year round as long as the soil is not frozen. Of course, it doesn't make much sense to sow annual flowering mixtures in late summer. The best time for sowing is therefore between the end of March and the end of May. How to do it right:
- Weeding, raking and rake for a finely crumbly seedbed
- Seeds manually or with Gritter spread
- Spread seeds in a checkerboard pattern with 5 to 10 g per m²
- Roll in the seed mixture for good soil contact
- pour on with a fine effervescence
The seeds of a bee pasture are light germs. Do not work the seeds into the soil. If the seeds get deeper than 0.5 cm into the ground, this affects germination. A sowing aid is advisable for easier sowing and optimal mixing of the different grain sizes. To do this, mix the seeds with soy meal beforehand.
Neugersdorf bee pasture serves as a role model
The Neugersdorf bee pasture impressively demonstrates why the project “Create a bee pasture” is not tied to a certain age. as carrier of the Saxon Generation Prize, the municipality involves members of all ages in creating an exemplary bee pasture. Other campaigns such as bee symposium and new beekeeping courses underline the reputation of being a bee-friendly city.
Green manure - bee pasture and soil improvement
Phacelia is popular with bees and is a great green manure
Premium seeds for bee pastures have another advantage in their luggage that natural gardeners really appreciate. Organic flower mixes, such as Schönhagener Bienenweide, acted as Green manure. Plants contained in it, such as phacelia, cornflowers, marigolds, buckwheat, mustard and other forage plants, prepare the soil perfectly if you have one Vegetable patch invest. For this purpose, the sown plot is cleared and raked through in the following year, shortly before the planting time begins.
Digression
Sponsorship turns wasteland into bee pasture
Nectar buffet for bees - tempting selection of plants
If there is not enough space in the garden or on the balcony for a bee-friendly flower strip, nature lovers turn their attention to solitary plants with the potential for bee pastures. The following selection would like to inspire you to upgrade your bed and balcony box with a floral nectar and pollen buffet:
| Bushes | Heyday | Colours | Perennials / flowers | Heyday | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorse (cytisus) | April to July | yellow, pink, purple, orange-red | Phacelia, tufted beautiful | June to September | light blue to purple |
| Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) | May to June | White | Silphie (Silphium perfoliatum) | July to October | yellow |
| Blue rue (Perovskia atriplicifolia) | July to October | violet blue | Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) | April to June | blue-violet |
| hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) | May until October | varied colors | Scented nettle (Agastache rugosa) | July to September | violet |
| Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) | July to October | white, pink, red | dahlia (Dahlia) | July to September | white, red, purple, pink to multi-colored |
| Garden hawkish (Hibiscus syriacus) | June to September | purple, white, red, pink, two-tone | Marigold (marigold) | June to November | yellow, yellow-brown, rust-red, orange |
| Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) | July to September | purple, white, pink | Gold lacquer (Erysimum) | April to November | purple purple |
| Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) | April to June | white, purple | Indian nettle | July to October | violet |
| Deutzie (Deutzia rosea) | June to July | pink-white | Sage (Salvia officinalis) | May to September | white, blue, purple, pink |
| Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) | July to August | White | Sun bride (Helenium) | June to September | yellow, red, two-tone |
| Snow heather (Erica carnea) | March to May | white, pink, red | Mustard (Dianthus barbatus) | May to July | white to dark red |
Please always use the pure type of a plant if it is intended as a bee pasture. Most of the varieties are genetically modified, sexless hybrids that are completely uninteresting for insects. This connection is easy to understand using the example of a panicle hydrangea. The inflorescences of Hydrangeas are composed of fertile, very small flowers and decorative, admittedly sterile, show flowers. Only the fertile flowers are interesting as a source of nectar for bees, bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies. The following rule of thumb applies to the selection of bee pastures: the lower the influence of the breeder, the more valuable it is for insects.
Ideas for representative rose species
Roses also attract bees
Representative species are few and far between among recommended bee pastures. Seeds sprout as a floral hullabaloo, so that bees can find a set table. Shrubs, shrubs and flowers are seldom a feast for the eyes when they promise insects a coveted culinary delight. That doesn't mean that creative hobby gardeners have to give up their wishes for a beautiful garden. The queen of flowers is happy to take on the demanding role of bee pasture and feast for the eyes. We would like to recommend the following representative species among the roses:
- 'Apricot': Small shrub rose, often blooming with simple, apricot-colored flowers, height 40-60 cm
- 'Bicolor': small shrub rose, often blooming, open flowers in light yellow and pink, height 40-60 cm
- 'Fortuna': floribunda rose, often blooming, pink cup flowers, suitable as a ground cover rose, height 40-60 cm
- 'Lupo': dwarf rose, often blooming, red to carmine red, single flowers, height 30-50 cm
- 'Golden Showers': climbing rose, frequently blooming, golden-yellow, semi-double flowers, height 200-250 cm
- 'Lykkefund': Rambler rose, blooming once, creamy white flowers with a yellow center, height 500-700 cm
A moderate care cut at the right time elicits roses in the garden and on the balcony a much-admired second bloom. Cut a frequently blooming floribunda rose, dwarf rose or Climbing rose slightly back after the first flower pile, clearing the way for more nectar-rich flowers. Only once-blooming rambler roses are cut once in February from the fifth year onwards.
Virtual herbarium provides details
This table gives a first insight into the exuberant variety of native shrubs, perennials, herbs and flowers that excel as bee pastures. The virtual herbarium of the ambitious project "Honigmacher Bienenweide" presents detailed information. Browse through hundreds of bee forage plants to put together the ideal combination for your garden and balcony box. The wide range of bee-friendly plants also allows a creative color composition in yellow, pink, purple, blue and red that leaves nothing to be desired.
Bee pasture - planting instructions for the bed
In autumn the bulbs are planted for the next year
The best time to plant domestic shrubs and perennials is in autumn. So that a gorse-bee pasture meets all expectations, the sun-warm soil offers ideal conditions in September and October. Hardy perennials, such as one, also benefit from these advantages Cranesbill Bee pasture. How to properly plant traditional plants in the garden:
- Soak the potted root ball in water
- Dig a spacious planting pit
- Enrich the excavation with a third Compost soil
- Pot the plant and place it in the center using the enriched soil
- Maintain previous planting depth
- Press the soil on and water
If it is a shrub, please cut back all shoots by a third or half. With a plant cut, you activate on woody plants, such as broom or lilac a bushy branch that leads to a lush flow of flowers with a high nectar yield for bees. Please select a bud, a leaf or a leaf knot as the intersection point. There you put the freshly sharpened scissors a few millimeters above the knot.
Balcony box as a bee pasture - planting instructions for beginners
Flourish tufts beautifully, Dahlias, Sage, lavender and cornflowers in boxes and buckets, your balcony is a popular destination for bees. In general, numerous herbs are very popular with insects thanks to their rich pollen and nectar habit, such as oregano, lemon balm, peppermint and thyme. The best time to plant is between mid-April and mid-May. As a substrate, we recommend a peat-free herb soil or emaciated with sand Potting soil. This is how you plant traditional plants for bees in the balcony box correctly:
- Place potted young plants in water until no more air bubbles rise
- Spread potsherds or expanded clay balls on the bottom of the box as drainage
- Cover the drainage with air and water permeable fleece to protect against clogging
- Fill in substrate up to half the height of the box
- Dig suitable planting holes at a distance of 5 to 15 cm
- Pot and plant water-soaked root balls
- Fill up with substrate to a watering edge of 2-4 cm while maintaining the previous planting depth
- Pour the bee pasture in the box
In the sunny location, traditional plants unfold in all their glory. Before that, shrubs and flowers should undergo a period of acclimatization to get used to direct sunlight. For this purpose, place the balcony box in a warm, partially shaded place for a week.
Bees can also be attracted to the balcony
frequently asked Questions
Can you recommend a bushy plant with purple flowers that feed bees, bumblebees and butterflies?
If you have a bushy shrub in mind, we recommend the splendid garden marshmallow as a bee pasture. The Asian ornamental wood is 150 to 350 centimeters high and is ideal as a solitary and hedge. From July to October, the purple flower dress attracts bees, bumblebees and butterflies in droves. A prime example of a bushy perennial with purple flowers is the wonderful Phacelia, also known by the aptly named Büschelschön and Bienenweide.
Is there a tree that is particularly suitable for bee pasture?
If bees had a say in the selection of the house tree, they would advocate the thousand-flower bush. The opulent flowering wood grows bushy to shrub-like at first, only to turn into a multi-stemmed tree after a while. From July to August a fragrant explosion of flowers unfolds, which is a thrill for butterflies and bees. The birds in the garden really appreciate the nutritious berries.
How can I create a bee pasture for free?
Free seeds for bee pastures can be obtained at irregular intervals. Supermarkets and discounters demonstrate their closeness to nature by giving each customer a sachet of seeds at the checkout. In 2019, for example, Lidl donated a portion of Bayer bee pasture to all customers free of charge. Antenne Bayern and Dehner carried out a joint campaign to promote more flower strips in Bavaria by giving customers free seeds in the Dehner garden center if they got the password knew.
Our front garden is on the north side. What is the possibility of creating a bee pasture in the shady location?
Where light is in short supply, native wildflowers and perennials thrive. With its "organic wildflower mixture shady", the manufacturer Sativa meets your wishes. It contains the seeds of 24 shade-tolerant wildflowers. Which includes Wood anemone, Wood carnations, wild garlic and other floral survivors that bloom even in the shade. If you green the house wall with late-blooming ivy, the food supply for insects is guaranteed in autumn. What all plants have in common is a rich supply of pollen and nectar, which bees, bumblebees and butterflies really appreciate.
We want to plant a tree as a bee pasture, but not go empty-handed and harvest delicious fruits. Which tree species come into consideration?
Apple (Malus domestica) and pear (Pyrus) are particularly popular plants for bees. Both fruit trees bloom in mid-April and provide bees with an abundance of valuable nectar and pollen. The noble chestnut (Castanea sativa) is less known as a bee pasture, whose inconspicuous flowers invite wild and honey bees to the table from June. For lovers of sour fruit, we recommend the local one Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), which supplies the early starters among the insects with food from March onwards.
I would like to contribute to alleviating the acute lack of food in bees in early spring and late autumn. Which plants can you do this with?
The first nectar and pollen donors of the year are black hellebore (Helleborus niger), daisies (Bellis perennis), snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) and hazelnut (Corylus avellana). So that bees and bumblebees do not go hungry in late autumn, we recommend tufts (Phacelia), cranesbills (geranium), hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) and for the planting plan Dead nettle (Lamium album). The latter has the appropriate middle name bee suction.
Tips
The Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU) explicitly points to the preservation of an autumnal giver of life for bees. Evergreen ivy will bloom when most of the sources of nectar have dried up. From the end of August until December, the inconspicuous flower prepares busy bees, bumblebees and other insects a set table. So that ivy can fulfill its task as valuable bee pasture, cut attentive hobby gardeners do not use the climbing plant until late winter.
