‘One Tee One Bee’ is a special offer for this weekend. Every order on our shop from Thursday to Sunday funds the purchase of enough wildflower seeds for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to create much-needed habitat for the UK’s bumblebees.
Bumblebee conservation is an area we’ve decided to focus on because bumblebee populations have declined dramatically in the last 80 years, with two native species becoming extinct. Out of the remaining 24 bumblebee species, eight are now at risk. The impact of One Tee One Bee will help combat habitat loss in the UK due to several factors, including intensification of agriculture, increased use of pesticides, climate change, and pests and diseases in the wild pollinators.
Supporting bumblebee populations also supports biodiversity. Many species of wildflowers would not produce any seeds without the bees’ help. These plants are often the basis of complex food chains. This means that supporting bees supports other wild animals who will benefit from the food and shelter offered by the plants they pollinate.
‘One Tee One Bee’ is a special offer for this weekend. Every order on our shop from Thursday to Sunday funds the purchase of enough wildflower seeds for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to create much-needed habitat for the UK’s bumblebees.
Bumblebee conservation is an area we’ve decided to focus on because bumblebee populations have declined dramatically in the last 80 years, with two native species becoming extinct. Out of the remaining 24 bumblebee species, eight are now at risk. The impact of One Tee One Bee will help combat habitat loss in the UK due to several factors, including intensification of agriculture, increased use of pesticides, climate change, and pests and diseases in the wild pollinators.
Supporting bumblebee populations also supports biodiversity. Many species of wildflowers would not produce any seeds without the bees’ help. These plants are often the basis of complex food chains. This means that supporting bees supports other wild animals who will benefit from the food and shelter offered by the plants they pollinate.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust works to raise awareness of the decline in the UK’s bumblebee population and increase the number and distribution of bumblebees. We’re pleased to be working with them to ensure every order during One Tee One Bee helps our bumblebees and the ecosystems they underpin.
Wildflower seed can contain many plant species, including red clover, yellow rattle, red bartsia, knapweed and scabious. Variety ensures different bumblebee species can access the nectar. Some bumblebee species are only found in ‘pockets’ around the UK and need different habitats, which is why funding the purchase of wildflower seeds of choice will help more of our vulnerable bumblebee populations to thrive.
The best time to sow wildflowers in the Autumn. However, you can sow wildflower seeds all year round. This means the wildflowers will start to blossom in spring when bumblebee queens emerge from hibernation and need a source of food ready to search for a nesting site to start a colony. From there, cutting an area of habitat/meadow in autumn and removing the clippings is an important part of land management. This retains low nutrient levels in the soil to suppress coarse grasses, which would otherwise out-compete the wildflowers.
Let’s create a friendlier planet for our bumblebees. We’re buzzing to see how many we can help. 🐝 We’ve even designed a special limited edition organic bee kind t-shirt! 🐝
