Selwyn_Times: October 05, 2023

14 | selwyn gardening guide spring 2023
Encouraging
bees
into your garden
Bee-friendly planting
Honeybees are struggling right now in early spring,
and will again in autumn, when there are fewer flowers
around unless humans help. Bumble bees need support
from midwinter to early spring. Native bees are better
off, being active from late spring through summer, to
match Aotearoa’s peak native flowering diversity.
To help these little hard workers, plan for early, midseason
and late season blooming, providing food
throughout the year.
Bees especially love blue and yellow, and flowers that
make good landing platforms or are tubular with nectar
at the base.
Trees and shrubs can provide pollen and nectar early in
the season before other plants have emerged. The NZ
Trees for Bees Research Trust has downloadable regional
planting guides. Good news for Cantabrians is that
many of our favourites are already on there, including
cabbage trees, flaxes, hebe, and pear and apple trees.
Top tip – plant clusters of each species together –
this type of display attracts bees while also looking
awesome.
Sometimes it’s a matter of re-framing your opinion about
what’s already happening naturally in your garden.
Lawn purists will tell you that clover and dandelions are
weeds. But bees love them, and let’s face it, once these
plants are in your lawn they’re pretty hard to get rid of,
so – let them flower. Their presence will help the bees
and therefore all your other plants.
Easy on the sprays
Extensive scientific studies have concluded that
Roundup, although heavily used in NZ domestically
and commercially, is toxic to bees. Glyphosate, its key
ingredient, disrupts their digestive bacteria, making
them weaker and prone to infection. It has also been
proved that surfactants, or spray-enhancing agents,
smother the bee.
So if you must spray, do extensive research from
independent sources, not from the manufacturer. Also
consider the many natural products that are highly
effective, including vinegars, salt, lemon juice and
boiling water.
The timing is also crucial – bees forage in daylight, so
spray at dawn, or dusk and into the evening.
Here’s a great job for the kids
Bees need fresh, shallow water available every day. They
can’t swim, so choose a container with gently sloping
edges, or add small stones or floating bits of wood.
Bees are a gardener’s best friend, so let’s be theirs too.
Bring your dreams
to reality
Adding a pool to your outdoor area remains a
popular option for many Selwyn homes and local
company Lagoon Pools continues to be busy looking
after residents’ needs.
They not only install the pools in a range of sizes but
can help with organising pavers, pool surrounds and
fencing.
With sizes and shapes ranging from three metres
to 12 metres, there really is a pool for every site in a
range of colours. Other additional features include
fountains, spa jets and swim jets and they can even
add pool lighting.
“It is best for anyone looking at installing a pool to
work ahead and get it locked in early,” says Lagoon
Pools owner Julie who runs the business with her
husband Warren.
It takes around five days to install a pool and then
the finishing touches takes from around 6 weeks
depending upon the design.
Lagoon Pools is the Leisure Pools dealer for most of
the South Island. Leisure Pools feature 100% per cent
composite fibreglass and, with patented innovations,
every swimming pool is supported by their lifetime
structural warranty and a lifetime osmosis warranty.
Contact Lagoon Pools by phoning Julie or Warren on
0800 927 282. You can also visit their website www.
lagoonpools.co.nz to find out more about their range
of pools and other services they offer.
www.lagoonpools.co.nz
03 349 2160 or 0800 92 72 82