April is becoming known as “Earth Month", with April 22nd set aside as Earth Day – a day when environmental issues are at the forefront. Well – we are now into May. But that doesn’t mean that we should forget about how our actions and lifestyle impact the earth!
Mother Earth is in our hands
It's "No Mow May"! Did you know that 1/3 of human food requires bee pollination? Simple changes in mowing can result in enough nectar for ten times more bees and other pollinators. According to Plantlife, just eight dandelion flowers produce enough nectar sugar to meet an adult bumblebee's baseline needs. So, if you're wondering why we won’t be mowing down our dandelions this month, it's because these beneficial weeds are often the sole source of food for our beloved bees in the early days of spring here in PEI.
No Mow May - a field of dandelions in PEI
I’ve read some information recently that, due to climate change, grass is growing longer and faster in the month of May than it used to. So, the conclusion was that “No Mow May” was detrimental to keeping a lovely lawn as it may be harder to mow at the end of the month. Well – I have a couple of suggestions! A non-profit organisation based in Detroit called “Bees in the D” came up with “Mow Less May”. Rather than not mowing at all (which may be against the rules in some jurisdictions), you simply mow less frequently in the month of May. You know those little yellow dandelions will poke their heads up within hours of mowing – and the bees will be thankful for that.
The life cycle of a bee
Don’t use weed killer on your lawn. Instead, water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Don’t cut your grass too short – thick grass deters weed seeds! And maybe we should look at moving away from yards that resemble manicured golf greens and instead plant more flower beds, fruit trees and shrubs, and veggie gardens.
A happy bumblebee
May 20 is World Bee Day! Here's a few fun bumblebee facts. Did you know that bumblebees don't build traditional hives? Instead, they nest underground or in thick grass or holes in trees. These nests only last one season. Bumblebees don't produce much honey - just enough to sustain their colony - but they are better pollinators than honeybees! If you see a bumblebee, be kind. They hardly ever sting. They will even give you a warning that you are truly annoying them by lifting a hind leg! Unlike honeybees who die when they sting you, bumblebees do not have barbs on their stingers and so they can sting more than once. But you really have to get them perturbed. I love it when I walk to the studio and see those fluffy little bodies enjoying the flowers in the morning sun.
Ewe Love Bumblebees and No Mow May
I also put out a shallow dish with marbles in the bottom, then top it up with fresh water. The bees can get a drink without drowning! Birds enjoy it, too.
We hold Mother Earth in our hands. We often wonder what can we do, what can we accomplish as just a single individual? If each person makes a few simple changes to their habits, the effects of these changes will build and grow and our planet will be happier.
We hold Mother Earth in our hands. We often wonder what can we do, what can we accomplish as just a single individual? If each person makes a few simple changes to their habits, the effects of these changes will build and grow and our planet will be happier.
We hold Mother Earth in our hands
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