One of the most talked about topics during the summer months would have to be pollination, or lack of it, in your gardens, in all types of fruit, especially stone fruit and passionfruit.
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Getting your crops to fruit successfully means that pollination between flowers must be effective and without the presence of a strong population of bees, well, it just won't happen.
So lots of bee activity in your garden is vitally important if you have crops that require pollination.
Unfortunately just having fruiting plants is not enough to attract a bee population into your garden. There must be other flowering options in order to keep your bees happily foraging throughout your garden all year round.
The best, most obvious 'bee magnets' suited to our hot, dry climate are native plants, especially callistemon (or bottlebrush), grevillea and flowering eucalypts.
These are all icons of the Australian garden and will flower continuously throughout the year.
All species, when in full bloom, will be absolutely buzzing with bees encouraging them to also forage throughout your edible garden.
Another excellent option for your garden or more importantly, your vegie patch, is the humble nasturtium.
These ground-covering beauties are a beacon for bees, but they dislike the cold, so are best planted from seed in the spring and summer.
They will grow in most places, sun or part shade and as a bonus, the flowers are also edible. Lavender is also a great bee magnet, with many types of lavender flowering from late winter to late summer. Plant different varieties throughout your garden and your vegie patch to ensure a constant supply of buzzing bees. All enjoy a full sun aspect with well-drained soil. They also make amazing pot specimens for your patio or around your pool. Planting some of the above flowering plants in your garden is a very simple idea to ensure you have a strong and beneficial bee population in your garden, guaranteeing excellent, home grown, future crops of fruit and vegetables.