Did you know that in the Netherlands more than half of the bees, butterflies and other pollinators are threatened with extinction. Wild flowers disappear and there are fewer and fewer places to build nests. Pollinators have a hard time getting enough and varied food. This has consequences for nature and our health. More than 70% of our food depends on pollination by bees and insects. It is time we started to improve biodiversity for pollinators in a sustainable way.
feed the bee - Earth Day Monday 22 April 2024
Will you join The Pollinators? Turn your garden or balcony into an enchanting sea of flowers that is also healthy for all kinds of insects. There are 5000 food banks for bees in the Netherlands where you can pick up a free pack of organic flower seed. Monday, April 22 on Earth Day is National Sowing Day. A day to all sow for a better world. Thousands of gardens, balconies and roof terraces will be transformed into insect paradises full of wild plants and flowers.
let’s pollinate the planet
Pick up your free pack of bee-friendly flower seed at a Bee Food Bank in your area. You can pick up one pack of seed. This is good for 2 m2. Check out voerdebijbij.nl. The map shows where there is a food bank near you.
"Let it bloom & help the bees with more wild blooming nature and increasing biodiversity. Let's turn all gardens into a natural home for bees, butterflies and all other pollinators!"
sowing tips
1. Find a sunny piece of land that you know will not be mowed in the summer. We especially recommend using your own garden / balcony or a piece of land in your area, or for example a field edge of a farmer that you are allowed to use. Never sow in nature reserves, so you do not disturb the natural balance there. Also, do not take seed mixtures across the national border.
2. Make sure that the soil you are going to sow is free of vegetation. Don't forget to remove all roots properly! Plants compete with each other for nutrients and sunlight, and of course you want your seed mix to win. It's a good idea to think before you pull something out of the ground. It is better to leave a beautiful perennial with many flowers, but removing a piece of grass is fine. Or pull a few tiles from your garden, that's always good!
3. Loosen the soil slightly, for example with a hoe. Only do this a few centimeters deep, because you don't want to disturb the soil life too much.
4. Sprinkle your seeds. Sow economically, because one gram of seed is usually enough for 1m². You can sprinkle a little garden soil for extra nutrition.
5. Lightly press the ground. Be careful never to completely cover or submerge the seeds; sunlight is also important for good germination.
6. Provide water! You can wait for a nice rain shower, but if it is very dry you have to work with the watering can after sowing. You will also have to water the plants regularly if the water does not fall from the sky. During germination, the budding flowers are most vulnerable. The roots go into the ground and need regular water.
7. Keep a close eye on what happens in the months after sowing. Do you see the same plants that you removed in step 2? Cut them away again to give your flowers the best chance.
8. During the summer, weeding can be done very carefully (for example, sorrel). You do not have to weed annual weeds. In addition, it is good to mow or cut everything high (10 cm) in the first year.