Description

In this class you will learn the basics of caring for mason bees, their life cycle, and the importance of cleaning and storing mason bee cocoons to ensure a healthy population and get hands on experience in harvesting mason bees and preparing for winter storage. You will take home a container to store your mason bee cocoons through the winter.
We will be going through the process of removing cocoons from their nesting material, cleaning them, and preparing them for winter storage. All of the materials to clean and dry the cocoons will be provided. Mason bee nesting material will be provided, or you may bring your own cocoons for cleaning. If you don’t have mason bees of your own you may purchase 20 cocoons for $20 to take home to release in Spring 2027.


Our speaker Leah Puhlman is an Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener who teaches for the award-winning 10-Minute University™ Program. Leah has years of experience working with mason bees, hosting them in her own garden and elsewhere. In 2022, she hosted 30,000 mason bees.

Age Category

Family

Location

LF Barn-Milking Parlor South at Luscher Farm