Beekeeping Basics: Preparing for Bees

Prepare your garden for spring pollinators before winter even begins. This seasonal workshop explores how thoughtful fall planting can create essential habitat and early forage sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial wildlife when they need it most.

Guests will learn which trees, shrubs, perennials, and native plants provide critical spring nectar and pollen, along with practical techniques for successful fall planting, sheet mulching, and building healthier soil ecosystems. The class also covers simple but impactful habitat practices like “leave the leaves,” overwintering stems, and creating shelter for native pollinators throughout the colder months.

The workshop includes an educational handout from Oregon State University on planting for pollinators, plus a take-home pollinator seed mix designed to support overwintering habitats and spring blooms. Guests will also have the opportunity to shop a curated selection of pollinator-friendly plants available at Berry Creek Garden, with guidance on choosing the right plants for Pacific Northwest gardens and landscapes.