Discussions

That particular brand/ mascot is actually supposedly sending out seed packets. There are also seed packets from Mackenzie seeds that are tailored to bees or humming birds. It's nice and easy. The other thing is to try and not use insecticides in your garden.

http://m.veseys.com/?utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Veseys+seeds&utm_campaign=24-03-2017-Bulbs-Pick+them+fresh+or+preserve+them!&utm_content=Bulbs+Spring+2017&url=http%3A%2F%2Fveseys.com%2Fca%2Fen%2F%3Ftrk_msg%3D5QROBIVMUQVKD4VNA5B662N8VO%26trk_contact%3DSHJ2SI0MU7B402PR1PHM1KSTA0%26trk_sid%3DLE6E9MDSTH92K95NPULVL8A5C0%26utm_source%3DListrak%26utm_medium%3DEmail%26utm_term%3DVeseys%2Bseeds%26utm_campaign%3D24-03-2017-Bulbs-Pick%2Bthem%2Bfresh%2Bor%2Bpreserve%2Bthem!%26utm_content%3DBulbs%2BSpring%2B2017&utm_referrer=

https://bringbackthebees.ca  
 
Cheerios have a campaign going that they will send you a free pack of wildflower seeds

The cheerios packets may not be the best option. There are concerns that they could be invasive: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/cheerios-seeds-invasive-1.4038068  
 
If you check out the "Save Our Pollinators" Collection from Heritage Harvest Seeds (she's located in Carmen and specializes in antique/heirloom species), it will give you an idea of what plants to look for even if you don't buy seeds from her. https://www.heritageharvestseed.com/collections.html  
 
You can also try the Green Spot - they are super-knowledgable and helpful.

Lots of wonderful flowers out there that attract pollinators! Bee Balm is one of my favourites. It's a perennial that blooms throughout the season and comes in a bunch of different colours. I plant one in each corner of my large garden. It really does attract the bees. I also like to buy a bag of wildflower seeds (McKenzie Seeds has a few) to use in an open space. Just toss, rake, water and done! The worst problem I've had is keeping the chickens out of the flower beds!

Here's another article from CBC that has some helpful information about the does and don't of bee-friendly gardens.  
 
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/plants-help-bee-pollinators-1.4039907  
 
"Pearce said supporting pollinators isn't just about flowers and pollen — it requires plants that have good leaf litter, places for pollinators to winter and food sources for young insects.  
 
She said pollinators include more than honey bees and that supporting wasps, moths, butterflies and even some birds is important.  
 
[...]  
 
Pearce said that people can help bees in their own gardens and yards by minimizing pesticide use. She also recommends planting things that are local, good pollen producers and that flower throughout the season.  
 
She also encourages people to leave dandelions up for a bit in the early spring, as they are the first point of pollination for many insects. She says plucking them by hand before they seed is the best way to get rid of them after they've been useful."

I think there should be a group where you can trade plants/seeds to encourage bee's..offer tips, help each other. The survival of the bee's means more than we can imagine. Working together to improve our community is only something incredible