Headlines on the news some time ago but today it sank in. 2/3 of the world's bees have died from Colony Collapse Disorder. When the hives are opened, the usual community buzz is absent because the hives are practically empty.Some unfortunate farmers have lost 90% of their bees. It seems that the causes are unknown but it is evident that a massive problem is at hand. Global warming, over use of pesticides, habitat destruction, and invasive species all contribute risks to honey bees. Some researchers believe that the bees lose their sense of orientation, and can't find their way home. This may be why the hives are empty.

A fresh dumping of snow on Mt Donna Buang to our North, and our two year old almond tree is covered in white blossom for the first time. It's a picture easily taken for granted now but one we may not see for much longer. Many orchards can only be pollinated by bees. Many back yard fruit trees including our lovely young almond require pollination by bees. That's why the news caught my attention this morning.

The mono-cropping of high tech agriculture, along with their massive reliance on fuel, means higher costs for fresh produce.

We all need to begin to grow our own vegetables so we become competent before we become desperate. Even a few large pots on the patio will provide leafy greens for a family, cherry tomatoes out of a topsy turvy hanging planter for you and the neighbours. Luscious strawberries within reach of the grandchildren, hanging out of the Stack and Grow Terracotta Planter shown below.

Deliberately leave some plants in the vegetable or cottage garden to go to seed: Coriander, Dill, and Chinese cabbage for starters. Some purists think it looks messy but there's really nothing prettier than a large purple or white leek or onion flower covered in busy foraging bees.

Colony Collapse Disorder hasn't reached my state yet. However, wherever we live we need to do our bit to keep the local bees healthy and happy now, while there is time. I've planted packets of colourful flower seeds to plant out in Spring. The blossoms will encourage the bees. We're also sowing Red Clover in any bare patches and this will save fuel on mowing.Red Clover Tea is an excellent antioxidant, so that will be good for us as well as providing flowers for the bees.

My father-in-law loved his vegetable and flower garden, his six sons, one precious daughter and his wife. Not necessarily in that order. He grew delicious vegetables along with baskets of roses, dahlia's, poppies, stocks, and any other fragrance filled flower that cut well. He and his wife built up quite a reputation by supplying the local church, nursing home, neighbours and grown up children with vegetables and flowers. Growing vegetables is a learned skill, but nobody benefits more than the grower.

Dad often said he had far more poppies since his kids had grown up. Always full of harmless mischief his boys hated to be caught catching bees. They would stand bare legged in the poppy patch watching for a bee to forage deep inside a nearby flower. With practiced skill they'd toss a handkerchief over the flower, grasp both the handkerchief and stem tightly, yank off the poppy head and drop both bee and flower into a bottle. Although they were often stung for their efforts, the fun of the competition made it worth it. No wonder all of his children have flourishing gardens.

We're keeping our eyes open to see if we can find where the local wild bush bees have their hive. We know they are about because we've seen them. Wild Aussie bush honey is just that, it's wild and often has a strong earthy eucalypt flavour all of it's own. I'll let you know how it tastes when we find it!

Meanwhile, I'm off to plant some more bee friendly seeds. If the bees need more pesticide free foliage, then that's the least I can do.