Pollination & bee-friendly gardens
Explore the relationship between flowers, food production and a landscape that supports diverse pollinators.
Crop pollination
Pollination is the transfer of pollen that enables fertilisation in flowering plants. Honey bees contribute to many crops, but the relationship varies by plant and growing conditions. A hive placed beside a crop is not, by itself, a guarantee of adequate pollination or a particular yield.
The NSW pollination resources are a starting point for learning about crop needs, hive placement and planning between growers and beekeepers. Include pesticide communication and biosecurity in that planning, alongside timing and colony condition. This is educational material only: HoneyBee Hives is retired and is not offering pollination services.
A bee-friendly garden
A useful pollinator garden offers flowers across seasons rather than a brief flush followed by months with little available. Start with plants suited to the local climate and site, and look for different flowering times and forms. Regional planting guides can help make that choice more specific than a generic list.
Explore Native Plants for Bees. The Wheen Bee Foundation’s Powerful Pollinators guides add regional context. Remember that managed honey bees are only part of the pollinator community; native bees and other insects have their own habitat needs. Planting and reducing unnecessary pesticide use can support that broader community without needing to own a hive.
Keep exploring
HoneyBee Hives has retired from commercial bee breeding. Explore the library or enquire about the business.
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