Bees are an incredibly important species when it comes to pollination, Cowichan Valley bee enthusiast Steven Mitchell told a group of local gardeners, Tuesday, February 8.
The group of gardeners, from the local Lake Bloomers Garden Club, had invited Mitchell to their monthly meeting, in order to learn more about beekeeping.
Although wind, birds, and bats are all pollinators, none are as effective as the bee, Mitchell said.
His favourite bee – the mason bee – is particularly effective for fruit tree pollination, Mitchell said.
“You want those bees to be in the flower,” he said, encouraging people to hatch their bees when their fruit trees flower. “As soon as your desired fruit crop is out, put them out.”
During their February 8 meeting, The Lake Bloomers Garden Club welcomed seven new members. Additional members are always welcome.
The group will meet the second Tuesday of the month from March to May, at the St. Louis De Montfort Church on Fern Road. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. Monthly garden tours will then take place from June to September.
For more information, contact Carolyn Austin at 749-6772.