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Honeybees are some of the first insects we ever interact with or learn about as children. However, plenty of common misconceptions about this insect exist. In this article, we’ll debunk some of these incorrect facts by sharing the most interesting myths about honeybees. To learn more, keep reading.

All Bees Die After Stinging

Contrary to popular belief, not all bees die after stinging. People widely believe this myth because most honeybees will die immediately after rupturing their stinger. This death is gruesome for honeybees, but it’s avoidable for other wild bee species.

All Bees Live Inside Beehives

Although it may be hard to imagine, the swarms of busy bees that live inside established beehives represent only a tiny percentage of the bees in your region. Only social bees work and live inside hives, which means that only 10 percent of honeybees stay inside hives. The rest of the honeybee population finds natural shelter in areas such as tree trunks and caves.

One of the best ways to protect the bee population is to attract pollinators to your home’s garden. The more wildflowers, plants, and trees you include in your backyard, the more space bees will have to live comfortably.

All Bees Have Long Life Spans

It might seem like the familiar bundle of bees you see pollinating your garden flowers are the same insects from the previous years. However, it’s almost impossible that these are the same critters from year to year. On average, honeybees have a life span of only five to six weeks. Even in ideal conditions, the healthiest honeybees still won’t live long past this average mark.

However, while bees may live short lives, the amount of pollinating and honey-producing they accomplish in their life spans is still critical, which is why bees are so essential to our ecosystem. 

All Bees Pollinate Plants

Although bees are the world’s largest pollinators, not all types of bees participate in pollination. Wild honeybees, specifically, are primarily responsible for the vast amount of pollination across the globe. Honeybees are the most common bee species to pollinate flowers, crops, and plants and build honey-filled beehives.

Surprised by our list of the most interesting myths about honeybees? The next time you spot a worker bee or buzzing insect, remember that bees live short but vital lives.

Flowers are beautiful, but taking care of them during the wintertime can be difficult. However, just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you have to forgo the pleasant aroma and appearance that flowers bring into your home.

If you follow the proper techniques, you can keep your flowers looking fresh for the whole season. Here are some tips for taking care of your flowers indoors during winter.

Keep Them Warm but Don’t Dry Them Out

Flowers are sensitive to the cold, so make sure your home is warm enough to keep them alive during winter. However, if they experience too much heat, flowers can dry out and receive just as much damage as they would from the cold.

To keep your flowers healthy, keep your home somewhere between 65 and 75-degrees Fahrenheit during the day and over 50 degrees at night. Sealing your windows and doors will also help, as it keeps cold air away from your flowers. Finally, if you keep them by a drafty windowsill, move them to a different area, so the cold doesn’t impact them.

Make Sure They Receive Enough Light

Growing your own flowers is tough during the winter because they won’t receive as much light, especially indoors. It’s your responsibility to make sure they receive light, and you can start by rotating your pots to maximize sunlight exposure for each flower.

Obtaining the perfect amount of sunlight is one of the most essential tips for healthy houseplants, but if your home doesn’t get enough sunlight, you might want to invest in a full-spectrum light bulb. You can use any desk lamp to shine light from a full-spectrum bulb onto your flowers for 12 to 14 hours per day. However, when decorating with cut flowers, keep them out of the sunlight to make your fresh flower bouquet last longer.

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The reason your nose gets stuffier during winter is that it dries out due to low humidity. Not enough moisture in the air is also a problem that affects your flowers, so try to keep your humidity at around 50 to 60 percent so your flowers can thrive. If you don’t have a humidifier, cluster your plants in the most humid room in your home or put them on a large baking sheet or tray with water. Whether you grow the flowers yourself or want to maintain your fresh bouquet, following the right tips will keep them smelling great during the colder months. After learning a few tips for taking care of your flowers indoors during winter, you can enjoy their presence in the months ahead.

Gardening isn’t always about flowers and herbs. Sometimes it means nurturing a beautiful and lively tree. And it may seem strange to think that something as formidable as a tree could require a bit of extra TLC. But the truth is, like everything else in your garden, these gentle giants need certain things to flourish. Examine some of these simple yet effective methods for keeping your tall, green friends healthy.

Plant Mindfully

Growing healthy trees entails planting them in a spot that’s conducive to their growth. Like all the wonderous plant life in your garden, trees have specific growing conditions, watering requirements, and even preferred positions in relation to the sun. So you must be mindful of these factors before you plant. It’s also a good idea to evaluate your yard’s soil drainage and be aware of any other plants that might encroach on your saplings’ roots or trunk.

All of these things will play a role in your sapling’s ability to grow. So it’s no wonder that planting mindfully is truly one of the best tips for how to keep your trees healthy.

Keep the Grass Trimmed Back

Once you plant your trees, it’s wise to mitigate the growth of any other plants surrounding them. When weeds and grass grow too close to the trunk and roots of a tree, the tree must compete for the vital nutrients it needs to survive. As a result, the health of your trees may start to decline. So if you notice grass, weeds, or any other plants getting a bit too close to your trees, it’s wise to back the extra plants. Doing this is another small step you can take to ensure that your trees thrive.

Prune Regularly

Seasoned gardeners know that one of the best tips for how to keep your trees healthy is pruning them regularly. Cutting back your saplings’ branches allows the trees to expend energy on new growth rather than waste it on unhealthy or brittle branches. That said, there is a wrong way to prune. And when you prune incorrectly, it can cause a detrimental decline in your trees’ quality of life. Luckily, there are a lot of techniques to correct bad pruning. But bear in mind, it’s always best to call an arborist for this job. They’ll have the expertise required to get your trees back on track.

Use Mulch and Fertilizer as Needed

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for a tree’s health is give it an extra boost. Whether you’re planting trees or flowers, learning how to use mulch and fertilizer is essential. This is especially true for new gardeners looking for a bit of extra help. To start, fertilizers can help you fill in the nutritional gaps your trees might be experiencing. This inherently leads to better health for your trees. Additionally, using mulch around your trees can regulate their roots and soil temperature. This is most beneficial during the height of summer or winter, when temperatures are harsher.

Trees are beautiful features in any yard or garden, and they deserve proper care. Hopefully, some of the methods in this guide have provided new insight into how you can look after the health of your trees.

Nothing beats the taste of fresh produce, especially from a home-grown tree right on your property. In fact, there are many fruit-bearing trees that are perfect for your backyard, thanks to their durability, yield potential, and low maintenance requirements. Get ahead this winter and consider adding these trees to your yard.

Fig Trees

No fruit-bearing trees are easier to grow than fig trees, making them favorites among green-thumbed enthusiasts. For starters, figs trees are disease free and pollinate themselves. They require almost no maintenance and even survive harsh droughts or punishing cold fronts. Furthermore, fig trees grow fast and bud early, providing you with a quality supply of delicious fruits.

In cold climates, opt for Brown Turkey or Chicago Hardy trees. They produce efficiently and withstand cold zones from seven to five. Another beneficial feature of fig trees is that they come in different sizes, meaning you can plant a massive tree or a five-foot-tall dwarf plant. In short, fig wood plants are flexible and perfect for amateur growers.

Apple Trees

Apple trees are great for providing a refreshing snack. Their main draw is the wide variety of options for people to consider. Remarkably, there are nearly 7,000 different types of apples grown on earth, with around 100 of these apples existing in the United States. Some apple trees suffer from diseases, but those diseases are typically common and easy to treat.

The best backyard variations for northern climates include Fuji and Granny Smith trees. In the south, many people find success growing Anna or Dorset Golden apple trees. Regardless of the kind, an apple tree is a durable food-producing asset perfect for any home or property. Its yield potential is huge, so just one apple tree is enough for a family.

Pear Trees

Pear trees are nearly as easy to grow as fig trees, and many people admire their delicious fruit. They thrive in both warm and cold climates, depending on the variety. Sand and Kieffer pears are best for southern regions, while European and Asian pears do well in northern climates. Although pear trees are can self-fertilize, growers can cross-pollinate them with other varieties. Like most trees, they survive in the winter and have chill hour requirements for blossoming.

Ultimately, the best wood plant for your property is one that you prefer and enjoy. There’s no end to the many fruit-bearing trees that are perfect for your backyard!

One of the similarities between commercial and residential property is that you must prepare both for winter. This is especially true if you live in an area with heavy snowfall and powerful wind.

In order to prevent damage from occurring to your property, you need to follow the correct steps to winterize the building. With that in mind, here is how to prepare your commercial property for winter.

Always Keep Your Heaters On

Although the energy expenditure might seem wasteful, you must keep the heater on for the entire winter in order to prevent your pipes from freezing. The costly repairs that come with a broken pipe will surely outweigh the cost of your bill, so make sure that no one turns the heat off by accident. You can leave the heater on the lowest setting to save money, but you must ensure that it stays on for the entire winter.

Inspect the Property for Repairs

Checking your property regularly for any peculiarities can save you from expensive repairs down the line. If you notice anything suspicious, such as shingles coming loose on your roof, you need to fix the problem before the winter makes it worse. Also, you should develop a good rapport with your neighbors so they can alert you if an emergency should take place while you are away from the property.

Eliminate Drafts by Filling In Every Gap and Crack

Drafts can cause many problems to your commercial property when you leave them unabated. In addition to allowing cold air to enter, gaps can allow mold to form and lead to increased energy expenditure when attempting to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

Consequently, your utility bill will go through the roof if this happens, and excessive energy use hurts the environment. Nonetheless, you can prevent this from happening by filling in every crack in your doors, windows, and elsewhere on your property. Using less energy is a helpful tip for living a more sustainable life.

Winterize Your Irrigation Systems

If you want to preserve your sprinklers for next season, you need to turn them off and make sure they can withstand the winter elements. Start by draining your irrigation system entirely so that no water remains, then shut down the control box for the season. Checking to ensure that your irrigation system is completely off is a practical way to conserve water and prevent damage.  Overall, nothing disastrous should take place as long as you remain cautious. Now that you know how to prepare your commercial property for winter, you can rest easy knowing that you’ve done everything you can to keep your property safe.