Create a network
of vital pitstops 

No matter where you live — whether it's a countryside retreat, a city garden, a balcony, or even just a window box—you have the power to support Ireland's pollinators. By making small changes in how we manage our outdoor spaces, we can create a network of vital pitstops that help wild bees, butterflies, and other insects survive and thrive.

Protect What's Already There

The first step to a pollinator-friendly garden isn't planting—it's noticing. Nature is already working its magic, often in places we least expect. Look around your outdoor space:

Are dandelions popping up in your lawn or through patio cracks?

Do you have flowering hedgerows like hawthorn, ivy, holly, or bramble?

Are there patches of bare earth, dry stone walls, or untamed wild corners?

These hidden habitats are already providing food and shelter for pollinators. Your first mission? Protect them! Consider mapping out the pollinator-friendly spots in your space as a reminder of their importance.

Rethink Your Lawn

A neatly trimmed lawn may look tidy, but to a hungry bee, it's a barren desert with no nectar or pollen. The easiest way to help? Mow less.

Many of the 'wildflower' seed mixes sold in stores don't actually contain the native plants that Irish pollinators need. Instead of sowing new seeds, let nature take the lead. When you reduce mowing, native wildflowers—like clovers, dandelions, and birds-foot trefoil—will naturally appear over time. It's better for biodiversity, and it costs nothing!

Since wildflowers thrive in nutrient-poor soil, most regularly mowed lawns are too rich for them. By mowing less often and removing grass clippings when you do mow, you'll gradually reduce soil fertility and create the perfect conditions for native wildflowers to bloom.

Choose a Mowing Plan That Works for You

You don't need to let your entire lawn grow wild—just mowing less in certain areas can make a big difference:

Short-flowering meadow – Mow once a month instead of every couple of weeks. This allows dandelions to flower in April, clovers in May and June, and other native plants like birds-foot trefoil and self-heal to flourish later in the summer.

Long-flowering meadow – In some areas, try cutting just once a year in September after the seeds have dropped. Remove the grass cuttings to keep soil fertility low. Over time, you'll see ox-eye daisies, field scabious, knapweed, and other beautiful wildflowers appear.

Leave some areas untouched – Allowing patches of long grass to remain undisturbed provides vital shelter for pollinators to nest and overwinter.

By making space for nature, your garden—no matter how big or small—can become part of a nationwide effort to restore habitats, support wildlife, and protect Ireland's precious pollinators. Every flower counts!

As Meadows Disappear, So Do Our Pollinators

Pollinators are at the heart of a thriving ecosystem. Around 90% of all flowering plants rely on them to reproduce, shaping the landscapes we know and love. They also play a vital role in our food system—three-quarters of the crops we grow globally depend on pollinators in some way. Without them, everyday favorites like coffee, chocolate, fruits, and nuts would be much harder to come by.

But pollinators, especially our Irish wild bees, are struggling. Loss of habitat is a major issue, with wildflower meadows disappearing and gardens becoming less pollinator-friendly. Many of our 77 bee species are now in decline, simply because they lack safe places to nest and feed.

In Ireland, agriculture is dominated by animal production (mainly cows). "Over 90% of our farmed land is grass used to feed cattle. In the past, these grasslands would have been diverse meadows—rich in native wildflowers and beneficial grasses, offering valuable habitats for pollinators", says Dr. Dara Stanley, University College Dublin. "Today, most fields are dominated by perennial ryegrass, which is wind-pollinated, leaving fewer food sources for bees and other pollinators."

That's where PLAN BEE comes in. I create handmade clay nesting aids—durable, sustainable homes designed specifically for solitary bees like red mason bees and leafcutter bees. These bees don't live in hives or produce honey, but they are incredible pollinators—working up to 100 times more efficiently than honeybees. Alongside clay nesting aids, materials like wood and bamboo also offer crucial shelter, helping to replace the lost natural habitats our wild bees so desperately need. 
Source: pollinators.ie

By installing a PLAN BEE nesting aid in your garden, balcony, or park, you're giving these vital pollinators a safe space to thrive. And in return? You'll enjoy a healthier, more vibrant environment—bursting with flowers, buzzing with life, and contributing to the bigger picture of biodiversity conservation.

Little Nursery 
in your Garden 

Our bee stones offer a unique and effective solution for supporting wild bees. The smooth, stable surface of the clay prevents the buildup of harmful bacteria, while the material itself remains resistant to weathering, ensuring long-lasting use. Additionally, our bee stones are designed to retain moisture, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy microclimate for the bees. With their thoughtful design and environmentally-friendly composition, PLAN BEE's Bee Lodges provide a superior, low-maintenance option for creating safe, sustainable habitats for pollinators.

The so called insect hotels you can find in garden centers are most of time rubbish. Here is what you need to look out for: 

• The holes or bambo sticks are not smooth, bees could hurt their wings on the sharp edges. 
• The depth of the hotels is to short: more male will hadge than females 
• You often see that the holes are drilled into the heart of the wood (where you can see the life lines clearly). This way the wood is likely to crack - and open door for parasites (see photo).
• The pine cones don't do anything for insects. There are just a cheap way to fill the space
• Vertical slides for butterflies are also humbug. Most butterflies have a short lifecycle and their brood are somewhere hidden in your garden attached to dead leaves e.g.. A few habinate in sheds or places where it's cold.