Page 14 - Bumblebee Conservation Trust Member Magazine Spring 2020

How ‘Bee Kind’ pottery Working with disabled

is inspiring the amateur By Woodlodge volunteers

gardener By Nikki Gammans, Project Manager, Short-haired bumblebee project

Over the past 18 months, the Short-haired bumblebee project has been working
with a group of adults from Community Day Services Coastal in Kent. One day each
Associating your Company with the filling plant pots with flowers that are month between March and November, a group of adults with learning and physical
Trust provides the perfect platform rich in pollen and nectar, you’ll be able disabilities join the project on habitat work party days. The Trust was approached
to promote your commitment to to turn what was an unused space into in 2018 by Day Care Services, who were looking for an outdoor, fun community
the environment and conservation. a mini, bumblebee friendly haven”. activity, something this project could offer on a range of sites with activities able to
The Trust has a growing number of The range is incredibly versatile, accommodate all abilities.
business supporters helping to raise allowing you to add colourful, nectar-
awareness and funds to help the UK’s rich flowers to a patio, terrace, balcony, The work parties have taken place at various sites including golf courses, public
bumblebees. Woodlodge, a passionate windowsill or rental spaces. spaces, small holdings, pubs and village halls. The aim of each work party is to
supplier of gardenware are delighted to create flower rich habitat for bumblebees. Volunteers carry out a wide range of
be a supporter of the Trust, and share Woodlodge suggests the following activities such as creating bare ground for seed sowing, planting flowers, raking
their initiative. bumblebee friendly flower varieties to grass cuttings and watering areas so everyone can get involved.
get you started, which are easy to grow
Clare Hurst from Woodlodge Products in containers and will look fabulous The groups are normally between four to twelve people together with their
explains why it’s important they do their in your garden: Perennials such as keyworkers. The work carried out to date has been a tremendous help to the project
bit to support the bumblebees. Lavender (Lavandula); Hydrangeas and has resulted in an increase in beautiful bumblebee-friendly flower rich areas.
Inspired by the need to create such as Wild or Smooth Hydrangea, as Both the volunteers and keyworkers enjoy the work and have come to appreciate
how important bumblebees are. Over the course of the work parties, volunteers
important foraging environments they typically stay in flower much longer have returned to the same sites so they can see how the areas are developing and
for bumblebees, Woodlodge has than other hardy flowers; and Spring how worthwhile and important this has been.
developed a collection of decorative Crocus, a wonderful bulb to sow in
‘bee’ pots in the hope of getting more September/October that will offer early Dr Nikki Gammans said, ”I have
aspiring gardeners to plant pollinator season foraging in spring. thoroughly enjoyed working
friendly flowers no matter what size www.bumblebeeconservation.org/ with the Day Care Service
outdoor space. The ‘Bee Kind’ pottery business-support/ users. It’s been wonderful to
collection is frostproof for year- be able to offer opportunities
round planting and available in three to this group working outside
gorgeous bee designs to encourage and doing something positive
people to plant for these important for the environment and local
pollinators. community. Thanks to them we
have been able to achieve a
Clare said “Flower pots are a great great deal in terms of habitat
alternative (and just as friendly) to wild creation for bumblebees.”
meadows in supplying bumblebee’s
with the important foraging environment Photos: Left: Annual seed plot created
they need to thrive in your garden. By at Hythe Green; Top: Creating bare
ground for sowing; Bottom: Raking an
Photo above: ‘Wisteria’ range; Environment Agency meadow to stop
14 right: ‘Bumble’ range the grass becoming dominant. 15