This archive brings together practical, experience-led articles from The Backyard Farmer, covering gardening, DIY, indoor growing, foraging, reviews, and sustainable living. Each post is written with real-world use in mind — focusing on working with nature, building practical skills, and making sustainable choices more accessible.
Introduction The Smeathman’s Furrow Bee (Lasioglossum smeathmanellum) is a small but widespread solitary bee commonly found across much of the UK. It is active for a long part of the year and is often overlooked due to its modest size and subtle colouring. You’re most
Introduction The Buffish Mining Bee (Andrena nigroaenea) is a common and widespread solitary bee in the UK, most often noticed in spring when it emerges to take advantage of early flowers. Its slightly variable colouring and busy activity make it a familiar sight in gardens,
Introduction The Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) is one of the first solitary bees to appear in the UK each year, often emerging in early spring when few other bees are active. Its early arrival makes it an important pollinator at a time when flowering
Introduction The Vestal Cuckoo Bee (Bombus vestalis) is a striking and unusual bumblebee species found across much of the UK. Unlike most bumblebees, it does not build its own nest or raise workers. Instead, it is a cuckoo bee, meaning it takes over the nests
Introduction The Red-shanked Carder Bee (Bombus ruderarius) is a scarce and declining bumblebee species in the UK, most often associated with warm, flower-rich grasslands and lightly managed countryside. It is typically active from late spring through summer and is known for its subtle colouring and
Introduction The Bilberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola) is a distinctive upland bumblebee closely associated with moorland and mountainous landscapes in the UK. It is most active during the warmer months, where it plays an important role in pollinating plants adapted to harsher, cooler environments. You’re unlikely
Introduction The Short-haired Bumblebee (Bombus subterraneus) is a rare and historically significant bumblebee species in the UK. Once widespread across southern England, it is now best known for its dramatic decline and subsequent reintroduction efforts aimed at restoring this lost pollinator to suitable habitats. This
Introduction The Northern White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus magnus) is a large, striking bumblebee most strongly associated with cooler climates and upland or northern parts of the UK. It is active through spring and summer and is often seen foraging on a wide range of flowers in
Introduction The Great Yellow Bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus) is one of the UK’s rarest and most distinctive bumblebees. Once widespread, it is now largely confined to a few remote coastal areas, where it emerges during the summer months and quietly goes about its work as a
Introduction — Why Vegan Soap Matters in the UK Vegan soap has quickly become one of the easiest — and most meaningful — eco‑friendly swaps in the UK. As more people look for everyday products that align with their values, searches for vegan soap UK,
Introduction Handmade soap has made a huge comeback in the UK — and honestly, it makes complete sense. As more people search for handmade soap UK options and look for natural soap bars, interest continues to grow. More of us are stepping away from synthetic
Why Small Allotments Can Be Surprisingly Productive If you’ve taken on a small allotment — or you’re working with a compact garden space — it’s completely normal to wonder whether you’ve got enough room to grow anything meaningful. But honestly? Small plots can be incredibly