Bee Aware Now (Gardens & Allotments Everywhere)

My Allotment is now prepared for this coming seasons sowing & planting so as I sat around, getting bored, waiting for the right time to start, I was pondering the well publicized decline of the Bee (and other insects) populations. What can gardeners do to offset this decline, when we have to protect our much treasured, fruit, flowers and veggies from the myriad of insects that would devour them before they have reached maturity.

One method of defending our beloved plants against attacks by the BBB (BAD BUG BRIGADE) is to reach for those sprayers, fill them with chemicals of varying descriptions & liberally spray everything in sight. Yes everything, including the kitchen sink into which the unused liquid is poured, perhaps, & where the spray containers are washed out, after use??

So what could I, you, us, they, do to lessen the threat to the insects that help us in the garden & down the plot. If you have read thus far, please remember the following, don't just go with the flow!!

1. Grow resistant strains of plants.
2. Use Organic methods of pest control.
3. Aphids & Other insects can be washed off plants with water or rubbed out by hand.
4. ALWAYS read the instructions on sprays, chemicals etc.
5. Avoid spraying plants that are flowering.
6. Spray late in the day but not when it is windy.
7. Spray plants that are actually affected by the baddies, not everywhere.
8. Grow plants that will attract predators of the insects you are trying to eradicate.
9. Attract other wildlife into the garden or onto the plot, such as frogs, toads, hedgehogs, slow worms by providing a suitable habitat for them.
10. Finally, when you have time, do some research into which "safe" sprays to use? 

 To Bee or not to Bee:  quote from a confused Bee.