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 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
Look for a mostly black or very dark brown bumblebee with an orange-red tail. Compared with the common Red-tailed Bumblebee, it generally appears smaller, rounder and fluffier, with a noticeably longer face. On females, check the hind legs. Red-shanked Carder queens and workers have orange-red
Introduction The Bilberry Bumblebee (Bombus monticola) is a small upland bumblebee found mainly on UK moorland, heathland and flower-rich hillsides. The main field marks are two yellow thorax bands and a broad red-orange tail that covers much more than just the tip. It can be
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 species
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 is one of the UK’s rarest bumblebees, now found mainly in parts of northern and western Scotland. It is best recognised by its yellow or golden body, a black band between the wings, and no contrasting white, buff or red
Introduction: Winter Bee Feeding Recipe for Healthy Hives Winter bee feeding is essential for hive survival, especially as natural forage disappears and temperatures drop. Honey bee colonies rely on stored honey, but reserves often run low. That’s why beekeepers must step in with proper feeding
The Broken-belted Bumblebee (Bombus soroeensis) is a scarce British species, found mainly in north and west Scotland, with scattered populations in parts of England and Wales. It is a relatively small bumblebee with the familiar black, yellow and white pattern shared by several common species,
The Large Garden Bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus), also called the Ruderal Bumblebee, is a scarce British species found mainly across southern England. Despite its name, it is not simply a large bumblebee commonly found in big gardens. A normally marked individual has a very long face,
Introduction The Forest Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus sylvestris) is one of the UK’s lesser-known bumblebee species. Unlike social bumblebees, it doesn’t build its own nest or have worker bees. Instead, it takes over the nests of other bumblebees, relying on their workers to raise its young—a
The Gypsy Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus bohemicus) is an intriguing and rare species of parasitic bumblebee. Renowned for its unique reproductive behavior and reliance on host species, this bumblebee plays a vital role in our ecosystem. However, its declining numbers highlight the need for conservation efforts.
Introduction The Field Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus campestris) is a parasitic bumblebee commonly found across the UK. Unlike typical bumblebees, it does not build its own nest or raise workers. Instead, it invades the nests of host species such as the Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)