Spring is all about fresh starts and growth! April is National Garden Month and there’s no better time than right now to start prepping gardens and embarking on that long-overdue outdoor project you’ve been itching to try.

Whether you want to simply plant a few seeds or take on a larger project like orchard fencing or wildlife corridor preservation, spring is all about growth — literally.

We’ve cherry-picked a few ideas and links to help you kick off your spring cleaning/gardening/growing. Share your #springtime inspirations with us in the comments below and on Instagram and Facebook!

Gardening 101

How to Plant Flowers for Bees

We are finally planting seeds on our farmstead! We’re going to be growing everything from healing botanical herbs, berries and mushrooms to gorgeous organic vegetables and flowers. Why flowers? Pollination begins with flowers! And why is pollination important? It leads to the production of fruits and seeds that, in turn, create more plants. Encouraging bees into your garden increases pollination, so to help your flowers grow it’s important to feed your bees. We recommend using the Bee Garden Blend from West Coast Seeds, who has some great tips on the best pollinator plants for bees.

The World of Wellness

The Benefits of Raw Honey

Raw honey is a key ingredient in all of BDirty Co.’s organic deodorants. On the farmstead, we use honey in everything — and we mean everything. Not only can you pour it on, rub it in and stir it up, but the health benefits of using raw honey are well beyond skin deep. Read up on how raw honey helps with healing wounds, balance gut bacteria and more.

The Farmstead Apothecary

11 Natural Ways to Beat Spring Allergies

It’s allergy season again. While our sweet sister bees love the abundance of pollen in the air, many of us suffer through spring with congested sinuses, itchy red eyes, watery noses and painful headaches. Never fear — we’ve got some all-natural spring allergy relief suggestions for you! Raw honey and bee pollen are considered one of the top natural remedies to help relieve your seasonal symptoms.

Self-Care Rituals

Take Your Tea on the Road

At BDirty Co., not only do we always carry our honey deodorant in our bags, but we also never leave home without our travel mugs! We love sipping our meditation tea or our favourite dairy-free matcha latte from a reusable cup while driving down a winding country vista or urban grid back in Vancouver. Please think twice before you use those plastic lids and disposable cups! Our sister bees will thank you for being earth-friendly. 🙂

P.S. Our favourite travel mug is from DAVIDsTEA, a Canadian tea retailer based in Montreal, Quebec.

Farmstead Plant of the Month

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is an ideal plant to use for aiding digestion, uplifting your mood, and balancing your nervous system. It also has sedative qualities that help with sleep regulation and has been known to improve mental alertness. We can’t wait for our very own lemon balm to start growing on the farmstead. Interested in trying it out? Try this lemon balm tea from Traditional Medicinals.

Disclaimer: We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products or remedies, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.