Biologist and bee expert Dr Rosa Vásquez Espinoza has shared her top tips for encouraging bees to come to your garden.
The explorer said Brits should plant wildflowers and embrace weeds, like dandelions, which are vital food sources for pollinators.
Meanwhile, she said letting your garden grow a little wilder can have an immediate impact, while choosing plants that flower from early spring to late autumn helps bees thrive year-round.
Another simple step is to leave parts of the garden uncovered rather than paved, as bees often nest in exposed soil.
Alongside that, shallow bowls filled with rocks and water will also give them ample opportunity to hydrate and recover.
Dr Rosa Vásquez Espinoza was speaking in Manchester, where she helped create a large-scale bee-friendly flowerbed at Heaton Park – one of the UK’s largest public parks.
The installation has been designed as a vital refuge for pollinators at a critical time of year.
As spring begins, newly emerged queen bees are searching for food and places to nest after winter, when supplies can still be scarce.
Designed to provide food, water and safe nesting spots, the garden offers everything bees need to survive and establish new colonies.
5 tips to encourage bees to come to your garden
Show your garden's wild side
Bees thrive in diversity, not in neat, overly managed spaces, so allow your garden to be a little wild.
Allow patches of wildflowers to grow, especially native ones.
Dr Rosa says: "What we often remove as 'weeds' are actually some of the most important early food sources for bees.
Cross-season food
Think about providing food across the whole season.
It’s not just about having flowers in summer; bees need support from early spring through to autumn.
A mix of wild, naturally occurring flowers helps create that continuous source of nectar and pollen.
Hydration stations
Dr Rosa recommends leaving out a small source of water, such as a shallow dish with stones or sticks.
It's a simple thing, but it gives bees somewhere safe to land and drink, and can be critical in warmer or dry periods.
Avoid chemicals
Avoid pesticides as much as possible, as even those marketed as safe can disrupt bee behaviour and harm the wider ecosystem.
Leave it bare
Many UK bee species nest in the ground, so leaving patches of bare soil and not sealing over holes or gaps gives them somewhere to live.
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Dr Rosa added: “Bees play a vital role in our ecosystems and food systems, pollinating many of the plants we rely on every day.
“What this research shows is that while people care about bees, there is often a gap between intention and action.
“The positive news is that even small changes – like planting nectar-rich flowers, leaving areas to grow naturally, or reducing chemical use – can make a real and immediate difference.”
Are you hoping to see more bees in your garden this year? Let us know in the comments.
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