It is good that you use natural products to target your garden pests. The only thing I would suggest is not to use products on plants that are actively blooming and that bees will be visiting. Bees will forage for up to 3 miles so unless you are very remote, there is a likelihood that your bees will encounter some insecticides and other natural risks too. You cannot protect them from that. Most of the time, except this early part of the season when temperatures don't allow for extended foraging, my bees go further afield to collect what they need. Honey bees tend to like large quantities of the same blooms, so trees and shrubs and field crops like Oil Seed Rape (Canola) are often more attractive to them than small patches of flowers here and there in a garden..... so don't be offended if the majority of your bees head off to forage elsewhere. I hope that doesn't come across as disparaging of your garden because I am sure it is beautiful, it is just that bees communicate to each other a good source of pollen and nectar. If there is a high volume source they get very excited because the word goes round the hive and they all learn where it is and work it until it is gone. It is efficient for them to work like this telling each other where the source is and passing out samples to taste, so that they know what they are looking for. Smaller individual flowers generate less excitement and less attention. In some respects this is beneficial for solitary and bumble bees as they are not then competing with the thousands of honey bees in the hive for the local forage. Honey bees tend to work larger masses whereas other pollinators are happy with the individual or more sparse blooms, thereby sustaining a healthy balance of pollinators in your local ecosystem.
For information, I find that planting things like crocus and snowdrops and winter jasmine near my hives is more beneficial that summer flowering plants. In January, February and sometimes March it is too cold for them to forage far and there are few bees available for foraging anyway, but a small amount of flowers nearby that provide an early source of fresh pollen for brood rearing can really benefit them. A shallow water source is also really important in winter, particularly if you have a dry climate.
For information, I find that planting things like crocus and snowdrops and winter jasmine near my hives is more beneficial that summer flowering plants. In January, February and sometimes March it is too cold for them to forage far and there are few bees available for foraging anyway, but a small amount of flowers nearby that provide an early source of fresh pollen for brood rearing can really benefit them. A shallow water source is also really important in winter, particularly if you have a dry climate.
