Building a Solitary Bee Wall at Stony Oasis Farms

I am in the process of adding a solitary bee wall on my property....Stony Oasis farms.

I am all about wildlife. And, wildlife enhancements. I want to nurture all of Gods creatures...big and small.

A bee wall gives bees like leaf cutting bees and other solitary bees an easy place to rear their young. I mean they do not have to drill their own hole, I drill them for them.

And, you might notice I have used 5 different types of wood, just in case the bees have a preference.

I will be drilling about twice as many holes as you will see below this year, then each year you simply drill more as needed.

Building a solitary bee wall on your property is one of the best things you can do for your land, your garden, and frankly, your soul. These little workers might not make honey like their more social cousins, but they more than make up for it with their pollination prowess. If you've got a garden — whether it’s tomatoes, flowers, or fruit trees — solitary bees are like having a secret weapon for bigger, better harvests.

Now, don’t go imagining some grand construction project here. A solitary bee wall is as simple as drilling holes in untreated wood or bundling up hollow plant stems in a neat little frame. I made mine from old wooden logs on my property. Didn’t cost me a dime.

The beauty of it is these bees aren’t looking for a handout; they just need a safe place to lay their eggs and raise the next generation. Give them that, and they’ll repay you tenfold. They’re gentle little creatures — not interested in stinging anyone — and watching them zip in and out of their nests is more entertaining than half the shows on TV these days.

What I love most is the sense of purpose it gives me. At my age, it feels good to contribute to something bigger. Solitary bees are disappearing in some places, but you can do your part to give them a leg up while reaping the rewards of a healthier garden. Give it a try. It’s good for the earth, and it’s good for your plants.