Daily gardening tip · Southern hemisphere · Monday 7 September 2026 · early spring
Provide Safe Water for Emerging Bees
As early spring warms up the garden, waking bees need a safe place to drink water without drowning.
10 minuteseasywildlife
Collect a few shallow dishes or terracotta saucers.
Fill each dish with a single layer of clean, small pebbles or gravel.
Pour water into the dishes, leaving the tops of the pebbles dry.
Place the dishes on the ground in sunny spots near your flowers.
Refill the dishes every few days to keep the water fresh.
Why it works
Bees need water to dilute honey and cool their hives, but they cannot swim. The pebbles act as landing pads, allowing the insects to stand safely above the water level while they drink.
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