When I select plants from my garden, I want them to fit in to the overall plant producing lots of blooms and color. But also plant from beneficial insects such as bumblebees. You see they work hard all summer into the fall gathering pollen from this bug stage. Of course as they bumble from bloom to bloom they are actually doing me a favor.
You see as they gather pollen they also pollinating my crops. But on a commercial scale pollination is big business. They figure the honey bee alone contribute it is about $10 billion to American Agriculture. Pollination is particularly important to farmers growing crops in green houses. You see bumblebees are now being used as pollinators in this case to help ensure bumper crops of proto such as tomatoes.
One, single hives can easily cover the hundreds of tomato plants growing in this green house. Now, you maybe wondering if you do not produce fruits or vegetables in your garden why attract bumblebees. Well, they are actually pollinating a lot more than a things we eat. Their pollination benefits birds and other wild life by producing seeds berries and fruit that they will eat all winter long. You see bumble bees are just an important part of the life cycle.
I can honestly say that I have garden all of my life and I have never been stung by one of these little guys but that is not just to say that if provoke they would not get their stingers out. But as a general rule bumblebees are gentle and content to mind their own business.
From the garden, I am Allen Smith. If you would like more information on this topic or any other gardening topic just check out my website PAllenSmith.com.
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