Beekeepers statewide will crack open hives on August 16 to celebrate National Honey Bee Day. Even if you don’t keep bees, you benefit: one in every three bites of food relies on pollinators. Encouraging pollinator health is essential to sustaining ecosystems and agriculture in Texas.

Planting a variety of native wildflowers, like milkweed and bluebonnets – or sunflowers, basil, and native purple sage – provides essential nectar and pollen sources throughout the year. Incorporating flowering shrubs and trees, like Texas sage or yaupon holly, can further enhance your landscape’s biodiversity.

Avoid using harmful pesticides, especially during blooming seasons, as they pose serious threats to pollinator populations. Opt for integrated pest management techniques or organic options whenever possible. Swap neonics for softer controls like spinosad on veggies, and spray after 7 p.m. when foragers are home. Creating nesting areas for wild bees, such as leaving bare soil patches or installing bee boxes, further supports their lifecycle.

For those interested in beekeeping, join local beekeeper associations to access resources and expertise – attend a meeting before package bee sales open in January. Backyard hives not only contribute to your garden’s health but also provide fresh honey and a rewarding hobby.

Also, don’t forget to support local apiaries by stocking raw honey at your feed store register – sweet PR that also keeps pollination buzzing across the Lone Star State. Visit Arcola Feed to get some local honey in Arcola, Texas!