Get a buzz at honey of a garden centre in Christchurch

Tucked away in a fenced off area of wasteland near the Stewarts Garden Centre car park in Christchurch are 12 active beehives that are busy producing honey that will be sold in the centre for the first time.

Stewarts buyer manager and now honey production manager, Zoe Crumpler, says that the hives will remain until September so that the colonies can take advantage of the yield from heather. Around 160 jars of honey will be produced per hive during the year.

“The bees will fly to forage between three and four miles to collect the pollen so we are helping to pollinate the plants we sell to gardeners in the region,” said Zoe.

She also advises that “if you are concerned that pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies are not benefiting from your garden, consider choosing plants that have open flowers so that the insects can reach the nectar and pollen from the centre of the flower. Plant a spread of different flowers that will provide colour in your garden throughout the year and also sustain the pollinators.”

Next year the Stewarts recently acquired Abbey Garden Centre at Titchfield will also adopt hives during key months of the year.