The Dallas Farmers Market is all about the buzz this weekend as we celebrate National Honey Bee Day, Saturday, August 16th. Texas farmers rely on these little helpers to ensure plentiful yields of apples, melons, and vine crops, including pumpkin, as it is estimated that bees pollinate one-third of the food we eat. Without bees, foods like cashews, almonds, blueberries, cucumbers, and avocados would cease to exist.

So what can we do to help our valuable bee friends thrive? 

  1. Go chemical-free: Minimize or eliminate pesticide use as they can harm or kill bees, even those items labeled as “bee-friendly.” If possible, opt for organic pest control methods, avoid using any during flowering periods, and apply in the evening when bees are less active.
  2. Make your space bee friendly: Plant a bee garden, even if it’s just a few pots on your porch. Choose native Texas plants such as purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, milkweed, bee balm, coreopsis, Texas lantana, Gregg’s mistflower, autumn sage, red yucca, and Mexican hat. If you have the space, plant flowers in groups or clusters, as larger patches attract more pollinators. You can also create nesting habitats by leaving areas of bare soil or brush piles in your yard for ground-nesting bees, or consider adding a bee house to provide nesting sites for solitary bees.
  3. Create a bee bath: Provide a water source by placing a shallow dish with rocks, pebbles, marbles, or even corks to offer bees a safe place to land and drink without drowning. Place the bee bath in a quiet, sunny area or near flowering plants where bees are already active. Bee baths do dry out quickly, especially in the Texas heat, so check and refill the water daily, and change the water and clean the dish every few days to prevent algae buildup.
  4. Support your local beekeepers: According to the most recent Census of Agriculture (2022), Texas leads the nation as the top producer of bee farms with almost 9,000 farms reported and over 271,000 bee colonies, resulting in nearly 8.5 million pounds of honey collected. This means there are a plethora of ways to support local beekeepers, especially right here at the DFM. Come grab all the sweetness, including:
  • Honey Apple Honey Sticks – Variety (16) of unique offerings like  coffee, blueberry, and jalapeño honey flavors
  • The Nutty Side has Turmeric Raw Honey, Cinnamon Honey, and more
  • Lone Star Specialty Food is bringing Sweet Heat Habanero Honey

It looks to be a bee-utiful weekend! Make plans to join us at the Dallas Farmers Market as we celebrate the sweet magic of local honey all weekend long at The Shed.

 

Photo Credit 3 + 4 @honeyapplefarm