Bees’ Needs Week in Scotland: Solsgirth Home Farm’s Guide to Helping Pollinators

Dawn Dawson
Jul 16
4 min read

Each July, the UK celebrates Bees’ Needs Week—a national campaign led by DEFRA to raise awareness of the simple, positive steps everyone can take to support pollinators.

At Solsgirth Home Farm, we know that farming and nature must go hand in hand. Bees are vital not just to our crops, but to the ecosystems we rely on—and that’s why they’ve always been at the heart of what we do.

Why Do Pollinators Matter?

Bees, butterflies and other pollinators play a crucial role in biodiversity and food security. It’s estimated that one in every three bites of food we eat depends on pollination. But many of these species are under threat due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

That’s where Bees’ Needs Week comes in, to highlight how gardens, farms and even balconies can help.

Five Ways to Support Pollinators for Bees’ Needs Week

1. Grow nectar-rich flowers and trees

Planting a variety of plants that bloom from early spring to late autumn is essential. Herbs like thyme and lavender, flowering shrubs, native trees and wildflowers all help. At Solsgirth, we’ve planted wildflower strips and native hedgerows like hawthorn and hazel to provide food and safe flight corridors.

2. Let your garden grow wild

Uncut lawns allow wildflowers like clover and dandelions (early favourites of pollinators) to thrive. We leave our field margins and some grassland areas uncut through the season to support foraging bees.

3. Avoid harmful pesticides

Chemicals such as neonicotinoids (e.g., thiamethoxam, known as Cruiser SB) can severely impact bees. Our hives are located away from chemically treated farmland, and we support ongoing calls to ban these pesticides outright.

4. Offer safe places to nest and rest

Pollinators need shelter in the form of hedges, soil banks, dead wood and wild corners. We maintain natural areas across the farm that give bees and butterflies space to rest, nest and overwinter.

5. Learn bee body language

Bees rarely sting unless they feel threatened. A raised leg is a surprising yet common warning, a sign that the bee is feeling stressed. Respecting their space helps us live and work safely alongside our hives.

Small Actions, Big Difference - How You Can Help from Home

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) in bloom — a favourite forage plant for bumblebees and honeybees, rich in nectar and perfect for pollinator-friendly spaces.

You don’t need a garden or a field to make a difference for pollinators. Whether you live in the countryside, a city flat, or somewhere in between, every patch of pollinator-friendly space helps.

Here are a few simple ways to support bees from home:

Create a Mini Pollinator Patch

Got a window box, balcony, or even a sunny windowsill? Fill it with a mix of herbs and compact flowering plants like lavender, mint, thyme, or chives. These are loved by pollinators and great for your cooking!

Go Vertical

No ground space? No problem. Try vertical planters, hanging baskets, or wall-mounted pots filled with bee-friendly blooms. Even a recycled tin can with nasturtiums can help.

Give Bees a Sip

During dry spells, bees need water. Leave out a shallow dish with stones or marbles for them to safely land and drink.

📸 Show Us How You #GrowForBees!

We’d love to see what you create — whether it’s a full garden bed, a kitchen windowsill pot, or even a jar of flowers for the bees on your tenement stair.

Tag us on Instagram @Solsgirth_Home_Farm_ or Facebook @Solsgirth Home Farm Ltd, and we’ll share your bee-friendly space with our community. We’ll also feature them on our blog!

Every little bit helps, and it’s amazing what a few flowers can do.

Tag us and use #GrowForBees for a chance to be featured on our socials and blog.

Our Honey and Beeswax – From Our Hives to Your Home

At Solsgirth Home Farm, beekeeping is more than a practice, it's a partnership with nature. Our bees forage on wildflower meadows, native hedgerows, and surrounding natural habitats, producing honey that reflects the diverse flora of our region — from Runny and Set to Heather and Cut Comb.

In Scotland, honey must meet specific standards to be classified as such. According to the Honey (Scotland) Regulations 2015, it must not have any foreign tastes, be artificially altered, or be heated in a way that destroys or significantly inactivates its natural enzymes.

These regulations ensure that honey maintains its natural qualities and health benefits.

We carefully harvest and bottle our honey to preserve its raw, unprocessed state, allowing you to experience the authentic taste of real honey.

Additionally, we handcraft beeswax candles from the wax our bees produce. These candles are naturally scented, free from additives, and burn cleanly, perfect for bringing a touch of countryside warmth into your home or gifting to someone special.

Browse our honey and candles on our website.