Biologist and bee expert Dr Rosa Vásquez Espinoza has shared her top tips for turning your garden into a buzzing sanctuary – including keeping weeds.
The explorer said Brits should plant wildflowers and embrace weeds, like dandelions, which are vital food sources for pollinators.
Meanwhile, she said letting your garden grow a little wilder can have an instant impact, while choosing plants that flower from early spring to late autumn helps bees thrive year-round.
Another simple step is to leave parts of the garden uncovered rather than paved, as bees often nest in exposed soil.
While shallow bowls filled with rocks and water will also give them ample opportunity to hydrate and recover.
Dr Rosa Vásquez Espinoza was speaking in Manchester, where she helped create a large-scale bee-friendly flowerbed at Heaton Park – one of the UK’s largest public parks.
The installation has been designed as a vital refuge for pollinators at a critical time of year.
As spring begins, newly emerged queen bees are searching for food and places to nest after winter – when supplies can still be scarce.
Designed to provide food, water and safe nesting spots, the garden offers everything bees need to survive and establish new colonies.
It has been installed to mark the launch of Secrets of the Bees, a new two-part series fronted by Bertie Gregory, premiering April 1st at 7pm on National Geographic WILD and streaming on Disney+ the same day.
Rosa said: “Let your garden be a little wild – the more natural you can leave your outside space, the better the environment you are creating for wildlife such as bees.
“Tempting as it might be to create overly kept areas, like paved or decked areas or extremely full flower beds, bees actually benefit from having room to forage and nest.
“And avoiding chemicals such as fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides will stop bees from being confused, paralysed or even, in some cases, killed.”
To accompany the expert’s advice, National Geographic commissioned a study of 2,000 adults with gardens.
It found 32 per cent prioritise low maintenance outdoor spaces – compared to just 17 per cent who focus on making them wildlife-friendly.
However, some are already taking steps to help – with 65 per cent planting flowers that bloom at different times of year, and 46 per cent growing flowering herbs.
Just 13 per cent said they have a bee hotel in their outdoor space.
The OnePoll.com study also found there is appetite for change – as more than half (52 per cent) would consider planting more nectar-rich flowers, while 36 per cent are open to reducing pesticide use.
Almost two thirds (61 per cent) allow parts of their garden to grow wild to help population drive.
Despite prioritising easy to manage outdoor spaces, 73 per cent believe their garden is pollinator friendly.
But a third (32 per cent) admit they only do a few things to help – saying it isn’t a priority.
Rosa Vásquez Espinoza added: “Bees play a vital role in our ecosystems and food systems, pollinating many of the plants we rely on every day.
“What this research shows is that while people care about bees, there is often a gap between intention and action.
“The positive news is that even small changes – like planting nectar-rich flowers, leaving areas to grow naturally, or reducing chemical use – can make a real and immediate difference.”
The Secrets of the Bees flowerbed at Heaton Park in Manchester showcases pollinator-friendly planting designed to support vital species.
It features a mix of carefully selected bee-friendly plants – including 13 varieties such as Primroses, Greater Periwinkle, Lungwort, and Wood Spurge – chosen to provide a rich source of nectar and pollen.
Organisers hope it will inspire Brits to make simple changes at home – showing how even small actions can help protect the species our ecosystems depend on.
Dr Rosa Vásquez Espinoza's Top Tips for a Bee Friendly Garden:
1. Show your gardens wild side
Let your garden be a little wild. Bees thrive in diversity, not in neat, overly managed spaces. Allow patches of wildflowers to grow, especially native ones. What we often remove as “weeds” are actually some of the most important early food sources for bees.
2. Cross season food
Think about providing food across the whole season. It’s not just about having flowers in summer, bees need support from early spring through to autumn. A mix of wild, naturally occurring flowers helps create that continuous source of nectar and pollen.
3. Hydration stations
Always leave out a small source of water. A shallow dish with stones or sticks gives bees somewhere safe to land and drink. It’s a simple thing, but especially in warmer or dry periods, it can be critical.
4. Avoid chemicals
Avoid pesticides as much as possible. Even those marketed as safe can disrupt bee behaviour and harm the wider ecosystem. If we step back from using chemicals, nature often rebalances itself.
5. Leave it bare
Don’t cover every part of your garden. Many UK bee species nest in the ground. Leaving small patches of bare soil and not sealing over holes or gaps gives them somewhere to live. When we pave or artificialize everything, we remove their homes.
