There is no doubt that our native pollinators are in decline, and honeybees are struggling with environmental pressures and intensive production. Beekeeping is not just about looking after our colonies, it is also about how we can use our knowledge to help all pollinators, and other wildlife while we are at it. Our gardens are increasingly becoming oases and it is possible to make a material difference, even on a small scale - and keep it beautiful.
We will cover the following topics:
- bees and plants: how they use each other
- best plants, and how to identify a good pollinator plant
- bug boxes, bee hotels and hibernacula
- adapting your garden to maximise wildlife potential
- the "June gap", nectar flow, and why bees need trees
Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts. Start dates may be amended on request.
A handout emailed to you before the course, including a cake recipe.
Pen, paper or the handout, internet/Zoom connection, and maybe a cup of tea!
This course is taught online
This craft course provider has been awarded Gold status for receiving 10 or more 5 star ratings from previous students.
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Extremely knowledgeable teacher, very in depth course and plenty of time for discussion and to ask questions. Thank you.
Response from Wayward Bee:
You're very kind Jules, thank you - really hope you get some good results encouraging wildlife in to your outside space 😊Jennifer’s course was fascinating. She covered a wide range of topics interspersed with interesting anecdotes and photos from her own experience as a wildlife gardener and sustainable bee keeper. I finished feeling really inspired to make plans for my own garden.
Response from Wayward Bee:
Hi Katie, thank you so much for your review, and I'm really pleased you enjoyed the course. Wishing you all the best for planning a beautiful and wildlife-friendly garden this summer. Let me know how you get on!Such a pleasure to learn more about bees from somebody so engaged and passionate. It was a very well spent hour and a half, and I learnt a lot, even though I wasn’t a total novice. I really recommend taking this course.
Response from Wayward Bee:
Thank you so much for coming along! It was great to chat all things bees and wildlife and see your beautiful garden 😊I've not done any zoom classes before so I wasn't sure what to expect. I felt it was an introduction with lots more to learn but it's given me plenty to think about. The handout is really thorough, with lots of ideas and help. I'd like to do an 'in person' course with Jennifer in the future.
Response from Wayward Bee:
Hi Jo, it would be great to welcome you to my home in the future but I'm pleased you found the Zoom version useful!Great course! Well prepared, and a well thought out and structured approach to sharing a vision. Doesn't tell you what to do in a garden, but inspires you to change the way you think about wildlife in a garden. Besides: this course shows you how the beauty of a garden goes much further than "just plants and flowers": you learn to appreciate it as a living organism fitting within it's surroundings and enables one to further encourage beauty to develop. Left me with a feeling of connection and increased appreciation, thanks Jennifer!
Response from Wayward Bee:
Oh fantastic Eric, that's exactly my intention with this course so thank you for leaving a review. Here's wishing you a happy growing season!This is the first of Jennifer's Courses I have attended and I was not disappointed! It was excellent. She held my attention for the duration of the Course, which was interesting, informative and relevant. She is very knowledgeable, but affirms rather than patronises. She offers ideas which are practical and possible for anyone to do to gain maximum benefit for bees and wildlife with minimal effort or expense. Her explanations regarding the reasons for doing things were easy to understand and helpful. Jennifer is engaging, enthusiastic and friendly. The Course left me feeling uplifted, and eager to put her suggestions and ideas into practice. Hugely enjoyable.
Response from Wayward Bee:
Thank you so much for your review - really pleased you enjoyed it and found it useful 😊Great online course. This course was excellent, I really enjoyed hearing about the principles of encouraging bees and other wildlife into the garden. Rather than strict instructions on what you should and shouldn’t do Jen supports thinking of the whole area and what we can do to support wildlife, whilst enjoying our gardens for ourselves, whatever the size. Plenty of opportunity for questions too, really enjoyed it, thank you.
Response from Wayward Bee:
Thanks so much for your review, Lee - and great that you enjoyed it. I know you already do so much for wildlife and your bees in your garden so it's nice to know you found it a useful course.Very informative, I left having made a number of new decisions about the garden. From the importance of where you buy seeds, to encouraging lizards!
Response from Wayward Bee:
Wonderful to hear, Paul! Let me know how you get on with your plans :) Thanks very much for coming along.Brilliant course! Jennifer was very knowledgeable and passionate about protecting wildlife.
I learned a lot and I’m looking forward to transforming my garden into a bee and wildlife friendly space.
Highly recommended
Response from Wayward Bee:
Thanks so much Julie, I'm really pleased you enjoyed the course and found it useful. I hope you find the things we discussed bring more wildlife to your garden :)