Some are saying we could expect an early spring this year – good news indeed!  If that is the case,  it is time to set out your mason bees.  We have top-quality straws with larvae ready to hatch when spring arrives.  Each 2-straw unit is guaranteed to contain at least 15 viable larvae and to be healthy and mite-free.   We also have two sizes of starter blocks.

We make it super-easy to create a hospitable environment for bees in your garden!

For those of you unable to get into Saturday’s mason bee class (sorry for the too-small classroom while we are under construction!!  Good things  are coming, we promise!), we have a second session scheduled for Saturday, February 20th at 11 am.  Beth Rose, from Farmington Gardens, loves talking about these bees, and it shows - this was by far our most popular class last year. 

The interest in mason bees keeps growing, even as problems with honey bees persist nationwide.  This docile native bee is a great friend in the garden, pollinating like crazy.  Just a few simple steps will encourage mason bees to inhabit your garden.  If you have any fruiting plants in your garden, then having these helpers nearby is a very good thing. 

This is a free class, but since space is limited, we ask you to call to register:  503-649-4568; or email us at events@farmingtongardens.com.

The interest in mason bees continues to grow since our first class – folks just did not seem to get enough the first time around.   So, in our on-going attempt to be responsive to what you are wanting to learn about, we have scheduled an additional class for Saturday, March 7th.   Beth Rose will repeat her informative talk on how to encourage these native pollinators in your backyard.   And we promise there will be plenty of time for questions and to purchase the live larvae and/or bee houses that you might need.
As with all our classes, this one is free, but please call to register. (503) 649-4568.

For those of you anxious to  bring mason bee pollinators to your garden, we have a good supply of everything you will need.  If you are just starting out, you will need some type of nesting box, with empty straws inside, in addition to some live larvae which will emerge when the weather dictates.  Here’s what we have:

• 2″ starter kit with 20 empty tubes, $9.99
• 4″ starter block with 130 empty tubes, $19.99
• Replacement straws, or liner straws $.30 each, or 35/$19.99 for combo straws
• Mason bee larvae, 2 straws (15 larvae inside) $19.99
• Mason bee larvae, 15 cocoons/$16.99

To get all the info on mason bees, don’t miss our class this Saturday at 11 AM!  Class is free, but please call to register.  (See posting last month on the class.)

Okay bees, go forth and pollinate and multiply!!

Our own Beth Rose will share her passion for this interesting insect.  Every year about this time, we start hearing from our customers interested in mason bees – and so we are happy to start our speaker series in 2009 with this topic.  Beth is an expert on mason bees and loves watching their habits in her own garden.  She will share the easy steps you can take to bring this friendly native insect into your garden as well.  You won’t get honey or wax from these hard workers, because they focus all their time and energy on pollinating.  If you have an edible garden or fruit trees, you will want to know about mason bees!  We will have starter houses and replacement tubes available by then as well, so that you will be ready when the bees are. Class is free, please call to register:  503-649-4568.