Gardeners urged to put tray of water in garden this weekend

Gardeners are being urged to put a tray of water in their gardens this weekend in a bid to help out during two days of intense blazing sunshine.

The Met Office is forecasting hot weather on Sunday and Monday for much of the UK, with 25C conditions and bright, clear skies.

That's great news for sunbathing, days out and generally relaxing in your garden, as well as giving a timely boost to all the plants, flowers and crops growing in your raised beds and your greenhouse.

But the downside is that the heatwave conditions can make life more difficult for vital pollinators like bees.

Bumblebees, as well as regular old bees and even wasps are important pollinators which play a vital role in our ecosystem.

Bumblebees are covered in a furry coat which helps protect them in the UK's usually moderate climate. But as hot summers get ever hotter here, bumblebee populations could be put under even more pressure, the WWF says.

As the World Wildlife Foundation has warned, bumblebee numbers are in serious decline because of habitat loss due to a slew of factors: pesticides, pollution and of course,

That's why gardeners are being asked to leave a tray of water in their gardens this weekend in a bid to help bumblebees endure the harsh weather conditions.

Chief Adviser for Wildlife at WWF, Paul De Ornellas, said: "Bumblebees are crucial for pollinating crops, fruits and plants, and they always make me smile when I see them. "They're vital for maintaining a healthy environment and for our food production.

"Unfortunately, like many insects, bumblebees are in decline due to habitat loss linked to land use change, pesticides, and pollution, all made worse by climate change.

"As temperatures rise, bumblebees are moving north to look for more suitable environments, but sadly some species could find themselves with nowhere left to go.

"Bumblebees also have a furry coat and much prefer cooler climates as they can easily overheat and become unable to fly or forage. They also struggle in times of extreme heat as the flowers providing them with nectar and pollen may start wilting and drying."

He advised that gardeners should, as well as planting flowers in shaded areas, place a tray of water in the garden to help bumblebees cool off.

He added: "Flowering plants in shady areas will be a welcome relief for bumblebees. If you see a sleepy bumblebee on the pavement or a windowsill in the hot sun, they can be carefully transported to a flower in a shady area if safe to do so.

"Provide a shallow tray of water, with pebbles, branches or bark above the water level for bees to rest on as they drink."