Update on Operation Buzz!

Yesterday I went out to check on my flowers and I am very pleased that my bumble bee population has increased to 2!! Yes, I saw 2 at the very same time. Then I went to check on my garden and lo and behold, I had a bumble bee pollinating my tomato flowers. On a side note: Since we planted those "bee friendly" flowers by the shed, my tomato plants are finally starting to produce fruit and not just flowers.

I got a book from the U of Mn called Befriending Bumble Bees (which is a fasinating, quick read) and there was a small part about bumble bees and tomatoes I found very intersting:

Buzz Pollination
Bumble bees ensure the perfection of tomatoes by performing a special feat called "buzz pollination." The bumble bee grabs the anther cone (the flower part containing the pollen) and shakes it, releasing pollen that would otherwise stay trapped in the anther cone. The pollen is then available to fertilize flowers so that fruit can be produced. Good pollination produces large, evenly shaped, attractive fruits.

I will thank my small number of bumble bees for finally pollinating my tomatoes!

I did finally get a picture of one of my bees. The Joe-Pye-Weed is finally in bloom and it kept her busy enough not to mind my camera right in her face, or mostly rear since she kept turning away from me.

I bet my neighbors think I'm crazy running around with camera in hand...<