Academic institutions, such as Washington State University Extension, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, and the University of Main Extension, have all published articles on cultivating bees in yards and lawns by utilizing the right plants. Dandelions are among the plants these academic institutions say are perfect to aid bee populations.
2. Academic institutions, such as Washington State University Extension, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Extension, and the University of Main Extension, have all published articles on cultivating bees in yards
and lawns by utilizing the right plants. Dandelions are among the plants these academic institutions say
are perfect to aid bee populations.
Promoting Bee Populations
Dandelions are important in promoting the growth of bee populations in residential and commercial lawns
because of blooming behavior. These plants flower from early spring until late into fall, although the
flowers are most plentiful during spring. The dandelion's lengthy blooming period provides bees with a
steady and abundant supply of pollen throughout most of the year. Bees make honey from pollen they
collect to feed their colonies.
Dandelions also possess "taproots," which are long central roots that can burrow as deep as three feet
into the ground. These roots make dandelions resistant to droughts and uprooting, ensuring that nearby
bee colonies have a steady pollen supply to aid their population growth
3. Fuzzy Features of Bee Lawns
"Bee lawns" are landscapes designed to cultivate populations of pollinators, such as bees and ladybugs.
These lawns encourage biodiversity through their flora and the proliferation of these pollinators. Bees
are keystone organisms because without them and their activities, some flowering plants have a difficult
time propagating. The absence of enough flowers in a lawn or area can have serious drawbacks to the
local bee populations that need their pollen for sustenance.
Dandelions are important additions to bee lawns because of their aforementioned attributes. Their
taproots keep them blooming during long summers and droughts, giving pollinators food supply on these
lean periods. They also bloom early in the year, providing bees and other insects with nourishment
before other plants can do so.
People commonly know dandelions as "weeds," unwanted growths in landscapes. But commercial and
residential lawns that wish to contribute to biodiversity and the environment can benefit from the
presence of these plants.
