Surprises in the garden aren’t as rare as one might think though some are sweeter than others. Next to my vegetable garden I have one of my three compost heaps each placed on different parts of my property based more on my laziness to walk all my plant waste to a single location than the desire to create perfect compost based on the correct mix of organic materials. As I was turning and adding to the heap, which is supported by a back concrete wall of an old greenhouse, I noticed a few bumblebees dancing about.
At first I kept my distance as I didn’t know if I inadvertently stepped on a nest that was created in the heap or I offended the bee gods by turning it over. But the bees weren’t hostile and kept buzzing around this location, legs fat with pollen looking for a landing pad. After about a minute, a lone bee flew out of the compost near the wall and out into the world. It quickly dawned on me that I just became a bad version of un-urban renewal that had buried their doorway.
The bees are squatters in a cavity within an abandoned greenhouse foundation that I share with a neighbor. And I blocked 
their door. They were doing nothing to me except fly around impatiently probably feeling like many of us do (on occasion) when we are further away from a bathroom than is convenient.
Upon pulling back some rotting lemon balm, crabgrass, garlic mustard and spent daffodil leaves, the bees soon found their way into their hive and other bees found their way out. They and their colleagues soon continued on their work in and out collecting pollen from nearby flowers and bringing it back home.
I was encouraged by my newly discovered neighbors as there has been much made in the press (and a recent book) about the collapse of bee hives, without which almonds (in particular) and many other vegetables could find themselves in short supply.
But at least in our little garden that has never been the problem. There is always something in bloom around our house so bees and other pollinators swarm around our gardens like stylized hot rods getting take out at Mel’s Diner in “American Graffiti.” Each plant attracts a different rod with bumblebees loving the catnip whereas I have seen mason bees go after my blueberry bushes.
Sitting outside after dinner with a drink in the dimming light, I watch some greedy bees that are getting the last bit of pollen from foxgloves that ring our patio. I used to worry that their laggardness would get them lost trying to get home in the dark. Now I realize that they my neighbors are just out for a quick and final forage before they settle down for a good night’s sleep.
