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 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 Creating a wildlife friendly low maintenance garden UK doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. With a few smart choices in low maintenance garden design, you can enjoy a space that largely looks after itself while providing bees, butterflies, birds, and hedgehogs with food
Introduction Worm castings might not look like much, but don’t be fooled—they’re one of nature’s most powerful organic fertilizers. Also known as vermicast or worm compost, these nutrient-rich droppings are produced by earthworms as they break down compost and organic matter. Packed with essential nutrients,
Introduction Looking for a mole windmill that actually works? This DIY wind-powered mole deterrent — sometimes called a “Mole-Mill” — is simple to build and surprisingly effective. If you’ve noticed molehills appearing overnight, soft spots in the ground, or uprooted plants, you likely have a
Introduction: The Harmful Environmental Impact of Styrofoam Styrofoam pollution, also known as Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) pollution, is everywhere—from takeout containers to shipping boxes. But while it’s convenient, its environmental impact is alarming. It is commonly found in packaging, food containers and insulation. Environmental Impact Why
Bee Species Profile: Large Garden Bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus) The Large Garden Bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus) is one of the UK’s rare but important long-tongued bumblebee species. It is a crucial pollinator of long-tubed wildflowers such as foxglove and red clover, and can be found in gardens,
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
Identifying Bombus campestris The Field Cuckoo Bumblebee is slightly larger than other species, measuring 15–18 mm. It stands out with its distinctive black and yellow markings, often accompanied by reddish hairs on its abdomen. Unlike social bumblebees, it lacks pollen baskets on its legs due
Recognizing the Heath Bumblebee The Heath Bumblebee (Bombus jonellus) is a small, fluffy bumblebee with distinct yellow and black stripes and a pale, almost white tail. You can often spot males, slightly smaller than females, with their longer antennae and yellow facial hair. Unlike some
Introduction The Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) is one of the earliest bumblebee species to emerge each spring, making it a vital pollinator for a wide range of plants. With its unusually long tongue, rapid movements, and bold black-and-yellow pattern, this bee is easy to spot
Introduction The Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is one of the earliest British bumble bees to appear in spring, making it a key pollinator for a wide range of plants in the UK. With its large size, distinctive low-pitched buzz, and pale buff-coloured tail, this native