Attracting your own bees seems to be the way to go. I think all the clover we have is luring bees (and deer!) our way. My uncle used to be a bee keeper. Farmers would beg him to bring hives to their farms for pollination. The uncle also made honey from his hives. It was very labor intensive and since he was a small operation, he never got enough money per jar to make up for the time and expense he had in it. He was a wonderful uncle ... funny, smart in a common sense way (didn’t finish high school), could build/do anything, and he had the kindest heart. The last thing he did before he died was deliver a shipment of queen bees to their new hives. Whenever I see honey bees, I can’t help but think of him. Although we’re seeing a lot of honey bees this year compared to almost none in years prior, the bumble bees are everywhere ..... and I’ll gladly take bumble bee help if they’re willing to do it and seeing the one in/out of the squash flower made my day!
I was just out on the eight foot ladder checking the top of my cattle panel, and I have baby cucuzzi..I can’t believe it. I didn’t think I had any. I’ve only seen male flowers. I hope they grow as fast as Tromboncino..which btw, I have some seeds soaking right now to plant more.