Bees in brisbane

[SarahEdgecumbe]

Hi everyone,

The area where we live in ipswich, really seems to be short on bees. As im sure many areas are.

There really doesnt seem to be many plants to attract them in the area.

I was wondering what sort of plants i could plant to attract them that will grow well in sub tropical climate.

They would need to be able to be planted in hanging baskets, or small rooted climers for the fence. I have such a small area, but would like to bring in the bees. I would love to have a beehive, but i dont think i would be allowed in this tiny garden.

Any suggestions? I would like them to be able to flower fairly soon. I have planted rosemary but that will be sometime before they flower. Mostly because i keep picking it for dinner.

Thanks

sarah

Sarah

[eco4560]

Google native australian bees - they are stingless and therefore perfect for a backyard garden. There are people who sell hives of them.

[S.O.P]

Best common (veggie garden) plant I've had for bringing in the bees (European, Stingless and Blue-banded) so far, are Basil. Beats Borage by a fair margin. Your results may vary.

[Grasshopper]

Was talking to a plumber friend if you want to attract native bees use duct tape they are totally addicted to the glue.
He ties up something with the tape and it gets literally covered in bees.
I dont know if its healthy for them probably just native bee crack.

[SarahEdgecumbe]

lol, very funny grasshopper... :-) Duct tape it is then..lol

Well I am going to grow borage in the hanging basket next to the strawberries. I have some new lavender gone in today, Rosemary everywhere (just no flowers yet) and I have plenty of basil. I Might have to start letting one of them go to see for the 'flower purposes' I like to keep them picked for the basil production.

I will really have a look at getting a hive of native bees. Regardless, i will need the habitat for them anyway so happy to plant a few things that are not strictly edible to encourage the right critters to the garden. I guess that is part of permaculture - right :-)

Will have to wait a little on the bees, as i can't seem to find anyone that will sell a small hive for under $320 or so. (extra for postage) That is just a little pricy for me. (Though i am sure they are well worth the cost).

Great shot of the basil above S.O.P !!

[Michaelangelica]

This old thread might be worth a read
http://forums.permaculture.org.au/sh...ght=beekeeping
although there is nothing like the practical experience to be gleaned from a local bee keepers group; they seem to be everywhere

[S.O.P]

Well I am going to grow borage in the hanging basket next to the strawberries. I have some new lavender gone in today, Rosemary everywhere (just no flowers yet) and I have plenty of basil. I Might have to start letting one of them go to see for the 'flower purposes' I like to keep them picked for the basil production.

See how you go anyway. I've expanded my basil planting to about 10 or so now, and picked about 1000 seed. The basil is nearly finished and I noticed a blue-banded hanging around some Borage. The Stingless have been working the Luffa/Loofah flowers at the moment. I've never seen them on clover and I have a large amount of Red Clover flowering.

From memory, I spread a 'Good Bug Mix' from Greenharvest and the Stingless almost exclusively ignored it, preferring Dianella elsewhere in the garden.