Bee skilled shares 5 ‘small adjustments’ to make your backyard right into a buzzing sanctuary

National Geographic explorer Dr Rosa Vásquez Espinoza shared her expert tips for creating a bee-friendly garden, including embracing weeds like dandelions and letting spaces grow wild

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Biologist and bee specialist Dr Rosa Vásquez Espinoza has revealed her best advice for transforming your garden into a hive of activity – including keeping weeds. She was speaking in Manchester, where she helped create a large-scale bee-friendly flowerbed at Heaton Park – one of the UK’s largest public parks.

The National Geographic explorer suggested Brits should plants wildflowers and welcome weeds, like dandelions, which are crucial food sources for pollinators. She also mentioned that letting your garden grow a bit more untamed can have an immediate effect, while opting for plants that bloom from early spring to late autumn assists bees to flourish all year round.

Another straightforward step is to leave sections of the garden bare rather than paved, as bees often nest in exposed soil. While shallow bowls brimming with rocks and water will also provide them plenty of chances to hydrate and recuperate.

Dr Espinoza was in Manchester to mark the launch of Secrets of the Bees, a new two-part series led by Bertie Gregory, premiering 1st April at 7pm on National Geographic WILD and streaming on Disney+ the same day.

The Secrets of the Bees flowerbed at Heaton Park showcases pollinator-friendly planting designed to support vital species. It features a blend of carefully chosen bee-friendly plants – including 13 varieties such as Primroses, Greater Periwinkle, Lungwort, and Wood Spurge – selected to offer a rich source of nectar and pollen.

Organisers hope the flowerbed will inspire Brits to make simple changes at home – showing how even small actions can help protect the species our ecosystems depend on.

This is something Rosa believes is easy for Brits to do. She said: “Let your garden be a little wild – the more natural you can leave your outside space, the better the environment you are creating for wildlife such as bees.

“Tempting as it might be to create overly kept areas, like paved or decked areas or extremely full flower beds, bees actually benefit from having room to forage and nest. And avoiding chemicals such as fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides will stop bees from being confused, paralysed or even, in some cases, killed.”

Some people are already taking steps to help the bees. A study by National Geographic of 2,000 adults with gardens revealed almost two thirds (61%) allow parts of their garden to grow wild to help population drive.

Despite prioritising easy to manage outdoor spaces, 73% believe their garden is pollinator friendly. The research discovered 65% plant flowers that bloom at different times of year, and 46% grow flowering herbs. Another 13% said they have a bee hotel in their outdoor space.

While a third (32%) admit they only do a few things to help saying it isn’t a priority, they are open to change. More than half (52%) would consider planting more nectar-rich flowers, while 36% are open to reducing pesticide use.

Dr Espinoza added: “Bees play a vital role in our ecosystems and food systems, pollinating many of the plants we rely on every day. What this research shows is that while people care about bees, there is often a gap between intention and action.

“The positive news is that even small changes – like planting nectar-rich flowers, leaving areas to grow naturally, or reducing chemical use – can make a real and immediate difference.”

Dr Rosa Vásquez Espinoza’s Top Tips for a Bee Friendly Garden:

Show your gardens wild side

Let your garden be a little wild. Bees thrive in diversity, not in neat, overly managed spaces. Allow patches of wildflowers to grow, especially native ones. What we often remove as “weeds” are actually some of the most important early food sources for bees.

Cross season food

Think about providing food across the whole season. It’s not just about having flowers in summer, bees need support from early spring through to autumn. A mix of wild, naturally occurring flowers helps create that continuous source of nectar and pollen.

Hydration stations

Always leave out a small source of water. A shallow dish with stones or sticks gives bees somewhere safe to land and drink. It’s a simple thing, but especially in warmer or dry periods, it can be critical.

Avoid chemicals

Avoid pesticides as much as possible. Even those marketed as safe can disrupt bee behaviour and harm the wider ecosystem. If we step back from using chemicals, nature often rebalances itself.

Leave it bare

Don’t cover every part of your garden. Many UK bee species nest in the ground. Leaving small patches of bare soil and not sealing over holes or gaps gives them somewhere to live. When we pave or artificialize everything, we remove their homes.