From creating bee drinking stations to protecting pollinator-friendly plants, keep your garden buzzing with tips from the BFT gardening team.

1. Put out a bee drinking station

As well for staying hydrated, bees use water to help cool down their hive in hot weather. A shallow saucer filled with water and large pebbles (these act as landing pads) is just the ticket.

2. Provide shade

Piles of hollow twigs, leaves and pinecones; unused bug hotels located alongside flowering hedges or fruit trees; even umbrellas positioned over a hive.

3. Prioritise bee-friendly plants

We may be biased but when it comes to what to water first, opt for those plants that will provide forage for bees and pollinators. Water them late at night and, if you can, surround them with mulch (we use bark in our planters) to lock the moisture in.

4. Consider planting for drought

Climate change is happening. Drought-tolerant plants that can support pollinators even during dry spells include: sunflowers (they have really long tap roots), lavender, sea holly and succulents.

5. Don’t forget them when the rain comes

Bees often cease foraging during really hot weather. So continue to provide forage, shelter and water so they can continue building strong reserves for overwintering.