Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is BeeInspiredFarm?
A. BeeInspiredFarm is an environmental and diversification project. By combining pollinators plots and farming we can create a great resource for nature and enable people who struggle for time, space or resources to join and help in the fight against species loss, especially our wonderful bees!
Q. Can I visit my plot?
A. Not yet, but we're working on it! We'd love to be able to do tours of the plots at key times of the year for you to see the difference you're help is making. The end goal is to create a weekend event based around our wonderful pollinators and bees in particular with seminars, crafts and stalls for anything pollinator positive,
Q. How do you know how much to plant?
A. To maximise the benefit to our pollinators we need to spread the flowering period of the plots over as many months as possible so we spread our planting programme to help achieve this. There's is a delicate balance in the size of the plots, they need to be big enough to offer some protection but small enough to maximise the area of edge habitat (the blurred line between two habitats which in itself creates a micro-habitat). We try to predict demand and match plantings but always plant more than what's sold and we can plant in 8 months of the year so if there ever was a shortfall it would soon be rectified! We also try to create as varied a range of flowers as possible since different bees have different tastes!
Q. But don't the Government already pay for this?
A. The UK government do fund pollinators plots but the schemes are very restrictive on everything from drilling date to seed mix. Although their plots do benefit wildlife and are a step in the right direction, we feel we can do so much more by being free of their constraints to work with with experts in bees and experiment with different mixes and methods to help get the most bang for your buck!
Q. Who are the BeeInspiredFarm team?
A. BeeInspiredFarm is predominantly run by Tom Gardner, a second generation farmer from West Sussex. Tom started in farming at the age of 17 and having completed both an apprenticeship and a degree in agriculture now works as a farm manager and a slight obsession with bees. The Gardner family have been instrumental in building the business with younger sister Hannah, a web guru, and father Dominic, having a wide range of experience in both farming and conservation (and a particular passion for pollinators). The family farming business has always had an interest in conservation and reducing any negative impacts of growing crops and livestock on the environment. As a family we don't own any land and we see this as a big plus, it frees us from traditional thinking and helps us to spot unique opportunities to make our goals a reality!
Q. What if I want to do more?
A. There's loads of great ideas out there to help pollinators, we think we've created a great one but there are some great ways you can help in your own garden! Something as simple as not mowing your lawn for the month of May will allow flowers such as dandelions chance to bloom and feed pollinators. If you follow us on Facebook you'll have seen our obsession with nettles, they are a great food source for pollinators and also provide some green cover for other insects. We hope to bring you some more products for use at home so you can have a daily reminder of the amazing work you're doing!
Q. What if I want to ask something else?
A. That's easy! Simply drop us a message using the icon in the bottom right of your screen or send us an email to admin@beeinspiredfarm.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!