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 Small Scissor Bee (Chelostoma florisomne) is a tiny, specialist solitary bee that often goes unnoticed due to its size and quiet behaviour. Active in late spring and early summer, it is most closely associated with bellflowers, which play a crucial role in its
Introduction The Silvery Leafcutter Bee (Megachile leachella) is a compact, coastal specialist that becomes active in early to mid-summer. It is best known for its pale, silvery appearance and its habit of nesting in sandy ground near the coast, making it a distinctive sight on
Introduction The Orange-legged Furrow Bee (Halictus rubicundus) is a small but noticeable solitary bee, best recognised by the warm orange colouring on its legs and its habit of nesting in sunny, open ground. It is active for much of the year and is often seen
Introduction The Pantaloon Bee (Dasypoda hirtipes) is one of the UK’s most eye-catching solitary bees, instantly recognisable by the enormous, bright orange pollen brushes on the hind legs of the females. These oversized “pantaloons” make it a favourite among photographers and a memorable sight in
Introduction Yellow-faced Bees (Hylaeus species) are a group of small, slender solitary bees found throughout much of the UK. They are named for the distinctive yellow or pale facial markings seen on many species, particularly the males. Because they lack obvious pollen-carrying hairs, they are
Introduction The Yellow-legged Mining Bee (Andrena flavipes) is a medium-sized solitary bee that is widespread and increasingly familiar across much of the UK. It is particularly noticeable in spring and early summer, when it can sometimes be seen nesting in large numbers in lawns, paths,
Introduction The Patchwork Leafcutter Bee (Megachile centuncularis) is a distinctive and increasingly familiar solitary bee in the UK, best known for its habit of cutting neat, oval pieces from leaves to line its nest. Active through the warmer months, it is often noticed in gardens
Introduction The Small Carpenter Bee (Ceratina cyanea) is a small, slender solitary bee with a distinctive metallic blue-black sheen. Unlike many of the UK’s more familiar bees, it is often mistaken for a fly or a small wasp due to its smooth body and subtle
Introduction The Davies’ Colletes Bee (Colletes daviesanus) is a distinctive solitary bee most commonly associated with coastal habitats in the UK. It is best known for its strong preference for plants in the carrot family and its habit of nesting in sandy soils close to
Introduction The Ivy Mining Bee (Colletes hederae) is a distinctive late-season solitary bee that has become increasingly familiar across the UK in recent decades. Unlike most bees, which peak in spring and summer, this species is most active in early autumn, closely timed with the
Introduction The Long-horned Bee (Eucera longicornis) is one of the UK’s most distinctive solitary bees, best known for the extremely long antennae of the males. Active from late spring into summer, it is most often seen flying low over flower-rich grassland and meadow habitats. This
Introduction The Common Furrow Bee (Lasioglossum calceatum) is one of the most widespread and frequently encountered small bees in the UK. Active for much of the year, it is often seen visiting low-growing flowers in gardens, parks, and grassy areas, though it is easily overlooked