## What Attracts Bees to Vegetable Gardens?
Bees are essential pollinators for many vegetables, and attracting them to your garden can help you increase your harvest. There are many different things that bees are attracted to, including:
### 1. Flowers
Bees are attracted to flowers that are blue, purple, white, or yellow. They are also attracted to flowers that have a sweet scent. Some of the best flowers to attract bees to vegetable gardens include:
Sunflowers
Zinnias
Marigolds
Coneflowers
Purple coneflowers
Cosmos
Bee balm
Lavender
Borage
Alyssum
### 2. Water
Bees need water to survive, so it is important to provide them with a source of water in your garden. You can do this by setting out a shallow dish of water or by creating a birdbath.
### 3. Pollen
Bees collect pollen from flowers to feed their young. Pollen is high in protein and is essential for the growth and development of bees. Some of the best vegetables to attract bees for pollen include:
Squash
Pumpkins
Cucumbers
Melons
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplant
### 4. Nectar
Bees collect nectar from flowers to make honey. Honey is a sugary substance that is high in energy and is used by bees to fuel their flight. Some of the best vegetables to attract bees for nectar include:
Sunflowers
Zinnias
Marigolds
Coneflowers
Purple coneflowers
Cosmos
Bee balm
Lavender
### 5. Shelter
Bees need a place to build their nests and to shelter from the elements. You can provide bees with shelter by planting trees and shrubs in your garden. You can also build a bee house or install a beehive in your garden.
## How to Attract Bees to Your Vegetable Garden
There are many things you can do to attract bees to your vegetable garden. Here are a few tips:
Plant a variety of flowers. Bees are attracted to a variety of different flowers, so planting a variety of flowers in your garden will help to attract more bees.
Plant flowers in groups. Bees are more likely to visit flowers that are planted in groups. Plant flowers in groups of at least 3 or 4 plants.
Plant flowers that bloom at different times of the year. This will help to ensure that there are always flowers in bloom to attract bees.
Provide a source of water. Bees need water to survive, so providing them with a source of water in your garden is essential.
Avoid using pesticides. Pesticides can kill bees, so it is important to avoid using them in your garden.
Plant bee-friendly vegetables. Some vegetables are more attractive to bees than others. Plant vegetables that are high in pollen and nectar to attract more bees to your garden.
## Benefits of Attracting Bees to Your Vegetable Garden
There are many benefits to attracting bees to your vegetable garden. Bees can help to:
Pollinate your plants. Bees are essential for pollinating many vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and squash.
Increase your yields. By pollinating your plants, bees can help to increase your yield of vegetables.
Reduce the need for pesticides. Bees can help to reduce the need for pesticides by pollinating your plants and helping them to develop resistance to pests.
Create a more sustainable garden. Bees are part of a healthy ecosystem. By attracting bees to your garden, you can help to create a more sustainable garden.
## Conclusion
Attracting bees to your vegetable garden is a great way to improve your harvest and help the environment. By following the tips in this article, you can easily attract more bees to your garden and enjoy the benefits of their pollination.
