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 Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica) is an early-flying solitary bee, named for the rich brown colouring often seen on females. It is one of the first mining bees to appear in spring and is commonly noticed when large numbers nest together in lawns,
Introduction The Orange-tip Mining Bee (Andrena fulvago) is a small, early-flying solitary bee best known for the subtle orange colouring on the tips of the males’ antennae. Active mainly in spring, it is a specialist of open grassland and lightly managed habitats where early flowers
Introduction The Grey-patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida) is a medium-sized solitary bee that is often noticed in spring due to the pale grey patches of hair on its thorax. Active mainly in early to mid-spring, it is a regular visitor to flowering trees and shrubs
Introduction The Cliff Mining Bee (Andrena thoracica) is a large, early-flying solitary bee that stands out for its size and powerful build. Active mainly in spring, it is one of the UK’s more imposing mining bees and is often noticed when females emerge from nesting
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 Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) is one of those bees people tend to notice properly once summer is winding down. In the UK, it usually shows up in September and October, just as flowering ivy starts buzzing with life. Most people spot it in
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
Red-girdled Mining Bee Identification: A Complete Guide The Red-girdled Mining Bee (Andrena labiata) is a distinctive and attractive solitary bee species native to Europe. Known for the striking red band that girdles its abdomen, this bee is one of the many species of mining bees
Introduction The Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) is one of the easiest solitary bees to recognise in the UK, especially when you spot a female in spring. She is a smart little black and grey bee with bold pale bands across the thorax. Once you
Introduction The Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva) is one of the easiest solitary bees to spot in the UK, especially in spring. Fresh females have a bright fox-orange coat across the top of the body, with a much darker head, underside and legs. You will