"The truth is, no amount of money or gold is worth more than bees, trees, or water."
~Bob Marley
With spring here, we know the flowers and flowering fruits and vegetables we enjoy outside are largely due to pollination, of which honey bees are responsible for at least 30 percent of. Without bees, many of the healthy produce we need to survive would die, which is why it is so important we take steps to preserve these precious creatures. Avoiding using harsh pesticides on flowers the honey bees will be hurt from is one way. Switching over to more organic methods of gardening is another. And, a third is to create this simple bee hotel to house busy bees doing their job in the circle of life.
Supplies:1. When you've finished eating beans or veggies from that can, clean it out completely, careful of all the edges. Remove the label and be sure to give it a good soak and rinse to remove any funky odors. Leave to dry. If you are using the mason jar, remove the lid, clean, and dry.
2. Gathered up as many plant stems as you can find, or have saved up as many old straws as you could (though remember reusable silicone straws, metal, bamboo, and other types of reusable or compost-friendly straws are better for the environment, so don't go and buy plastic straws just for this project!), make sure they are all the right length to fit into the jar or can. They do not have to be the same diameter or type. For instance, you can mix bamboo straws with plant stems. And you can mix smaller soda plastic straws with larger boba straws. The bees will not mind the differences in room size.
3. Make sure you have cut them all to the same length using the utility knife or scissors, whichever works better, around 4 inches. (*If you are using bamboo straws, which are thicker, and more difficult to break, you may need to mark where to cut and use a small jigsaw. Please get help for any cutting!*)
4. Now get together all your hollowed stems or straws, and fill up your can or mason jar, in whatever pattern you would like. Put them in as tightly as you are able, careful of the sharp edges of the can. (If you are using a can, after it is filled, place hot glue over the sharp edges.)
5. Test to make sure it is filled up enough by tipping it upside down. If it's filled enough, nothing will spill out. If it seems loose or the contents start to spill out, fill it with more hollow stems or straws.
6. Now that it is completed, you can decorate the outside of the can or jar if you'd like with outdoor paint (check to make sure it is safe for glass or metal), careful not to get any near the mouth of the jar or can. This step is completely optional. Your bees aren't too picky about home decor.
7. Finally, you should place your hotel in a sunny place, close to flowers and plants, but isn't shaded by them. The details of how to secure your hotel aren't laid out because every yard is landscaped differently. Some may find they can drill the hotel right to a tree, some may find they have to rig it securely with wires or chains, others may nestle it somewhere high with rocks, taking care that it is away from wind and it doesn't get blown about.
As a note: In winter months, if you live somewhere cold, you may move your hotel to a dry location like a shed. But, don't forget once spring starts to bring it back outside because the bees inside will start to emerge from the stems again in search for food.)"If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere."
~Vincent Van Gogh
As spring is right around the corner, we are going to talk about some sweet gardening tips on how to attract some beautiful wildlife to your area with each update. This update we will explain how to make a simple butterfly feeder. Butterflies are not only gorgeous additions to the landscape as they flutter by, but they also serve as important pollinators of flowers and other plants. Help attract them to your yard by planting bright colored flowers, bushes that seem attractive to them, and, of course, making our butterfly feeder.
Supplies:1. Take a single hole punch or an awl and make 4 holes in the plastic plate. Space the holes apart equally so the feeder won't be crooked.
2. Next, cut your twine into a foot or a foot and a half long.
3. Now, secure each piece of twine to the hole by tying it tightly, double knotting it.
4. Add your pony beads, however you'd like, to the string. You can make a pattern or make it completely random. If you want you can add glow-in-the-dark, glitter, textured, or even glue small artificial flowers to the beads before adding. Leave a space of 1-2 inches at the top of your string.
5. Tie off the top of the twine, in a secure double knot. Attach your hanger hook to the top of the twine.
6. Add your fruit and/or nectar and hang in a sunny spot.
7. Be sure to regularly change the fruit and nectar to avoid fruit spoilage and flies from gathering.
*For the sugar water nectar:For this science experiment, not only will you be creating a really beautiful liquid rainbow, you’ll also be learning about density!
1. Pour each liquid in the cups as listed above, paying specific attention that they are all 3 tablespoons, all equal amounts. (You may want to set the cups in the order you’ll add them into the container: corn syrup, maple syrup, dish soap, sugar water, water, vegetable oil, rubbing alcohol.)
2. Add different but the same amount of food coloring to sugar water, water, alcohol, dish soap (if it’s clear) for contrast of each liquid to stand out. Stir in the food coloring thoroughly. Be sure to write down what color you have assigned to each liquid.
3. Start your column by pouring with an eye dropper/baster the corn syrup into a vase or large mason jar, not touching the sides as you drip the liquid out. It’s very important to slowly layer the in the order listed above. Continue in the order listed. Don’t worry too much if the liquids mix a little as you are pouring, they will work themselves out because of their differences in density. But, take care with the sugar water and water, as those are mixable.
4. At this point, you should have your whole rainbow assembled. You can choose to carefully put a single artificial flower through the liquid in the vase and display in a window or if it’s in a mason jar, you can seal it up and enjoy it in the light. Be careful when transporting it. Though like a real rainbow, it won’t last forever, but it can turn out pretty cool with your favorite colors and looks amazing in the light.
Density is the degree of compactness of a substance. Although each substance appeared to be the same amount, they varied in compactness or density. Their density causes them to float or sink, which allows them to rest atop other liquids or sink under other liquids. We also learn that water and oil are never miscible (mixable) because oil is hydrophobic (meaning: "tending to repel or fail to mix with water.") Lastly, because of liquid density, you can even trap solid objects inside this liquid rainbow, which is yet another experiment you an try to test the density of solid objects.