Help the Mason Bee

Although it is best to leave as much plant material as you can in autumn, sometimes you need to cut down some dead plant stems, but don't throw them out!

Gather the dead plant stems from, for example bamboo plants, sunflowers, thistle or bergamot and cut them in around 10 - 15 cm lengths. Tie them together with a piece of string and put the bundle with the holes facing out in an empty tin can OR in any hollow space you may have in the garden (for example in between stones in a stone dyke or rockery) in a south facing location.

Now wait and in early Spring keep an eye on the holes as the mason bees will start laying an egg in one of the hollow tubes and then use mud and clay to close up the hole.