Snapdragons - Snapdragons are helpful during the
spring and fall months. They prefer cooler weather.
Plant them in full sun to partial shade to keep them
thriving for the bees!
Zinnias - Zinnias are easy to care for
and great for beginners. Their large
blooms keep bees happy all the
way through the fall.
Caryopteris - Another
bee-favorite flower is
perennial Caryopteris. These
plants look great in a big
group as a garden border or
as a tall filler. You will see the
bees (and butterflies) flocking to
this one!
In addition, consider planting edible herbs to add
variety and function to your bee garden. Herbs such
as sage, mint, oregano, thyme, and lavender all attract
bees and are useful in the kitchen.
Amazing facts
about
Honey is perhaps best known for its sweet taste. But beneath
that sweetness is a complex, healthy food.
Bees produce honey from the pollen of plants through a
complex enzymatic process, turning it
into the beloved golden nectar.
Many properties make honey a unique
food that is not just tasty, but also quite
healthy. Here are some facts about
honey that might get you buzzing.
• When stored in an airtight container,
honey can last indefinitely. The
substance is naturally acidic and low
in moisture, which means it is an
inhospitable environment for bacteria.
There are small amounts of hydrogen
peroxide in honey as well, inhibiting the
growth of microorganisms. (Source:
Tin Roof Teas)
• Honey has antibacterial properties,
so it has been relied on as a health
food and topical treatment. Burns,
cuts, infections, stomach ailments,
and more have been treated with
honey. (Source: National Center for
Biotechnology Information)
• Honey is the only food source
produced by an insect that humans eat.
(Source: Peace Bee Farmer)
• Mead is a fermented beverage that is made
from honey. It has a storied history as a beverage of choice in
many different cultures. (Source: Hidden Legend Winery)
• Honey is the only food that includes all the substances
necessary to sustain life. This includes enzymes, vitamins and
minerals. It also contains pinocembrin, a unique antioxidant
associated with improved brain function. (Source: Sirhowy Valley
Honey)
• A honey bee produces roughly 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey
over the course of its life. Bees are not the only insect to make
honey, however. The honey wasp, native to Mexico, also can
produce honey. (Sources: Golden Blossom Honey and Inverse)
• Honey will take on the flavor of the nectar from which
it was made. This nectar also will affect the color and the
consistency of the honey. (Source: National Honey Board)
Honey has a sweet and rich history. At times honey has been
referred to as "the nectar of the gods," and it is still enjoyed for
pleasure and medicinal reasons today.
Of f icialKidsMag.com • MARCH 2020 • 11
