Drawing from their experience working at a research farm, the Reddit user allowed their broccoli crops to grow out and flower. Though broccolis are harvested before flowering, the gardener allowed them to flower for a small home experiment that attracted droves of bees to their garden. “After working on a research farm where broccoli was intentionally grown to flower, I grew some broccoli plants and let them flower at my house. The bees are going crazy for them!” the post read. The newfound information turned out to be an exhilarating topic of discussion for the Reddit community.
The post received dozens of comments from people, sharing personal experiences and knowledge under the post. u/monkey_trumpets wrote, “I've found that bees really love plants with tiny flowers. The ones here go crazy for the sedum, oregano, lavender, and other plants with tiny flowers.” Turns out, bees love more than just broccoli flowers, and are attracted to coneflowers and lamb's ear too. u/ziggylott supported, “They're rich in nectar and pollen, making them a rich food source for bees and others. That is a cool experience! It's great that you were able to provide a food source for the bees in your area!” “I had some leeks go to flower, and the bees were crazy for them. I am hoping they self sow so I can do it again!” added u/ImportantPaint.
Growing bee-friendly plants is the best way to encourage bee populations and help them survive. This is irrespective of the size of your garden, as bee-friendly plants can be grown anywhere, from the smallest patios to large gardens with ample space for flowering plants. Pollinators like bees thrive on pollen and nectar as they contain essential nutrients like proteins and oils, while the sugar from nectar gives them energy and a balanced diet, per Friends of the Earth. Herbs like mint, fennel, chives, and rosemary are beneficial for bees and should be planted to ensure their survival. Cabbage, lavender, and other cruciferous vegetables also act as good sources of pollen for bees.
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