[cableshaft]

I've had urges to start one, but we only have a normal-sized back yard and two dogs, and I don't think that would mix too well. I already know one of them will try to eat bees when given the chance and I don't want them to get stung.

Is there a way to help without actually starting your own bee colony?

[emerongi]

If you live in a place that already has a good number of bees around: have pollinating plants, trees, bushes in your yard, possibly a (small) stream of water; know how to spot a swarm and have a bee-friend that you can call to collect the swarms.

[coldpie]

Depending on where you live, seeding your lawn with white clover is a low-cost and low-maintenance way to provide food for local bees.

[riffraff]

grow plants pollinators like

https://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/plant-a-bee-garden/

[ahje]

Leave the dandelions in the lawn for the pollinators. They attract tons of bees, bumblebees and butterflies.

[cableshaft]

I guess I did good by getting sick for a month right when spring was starting and between that and the rain I didn't bother mowing for awhile and the dandelions took over the front lawn :)

[riffraff]

they are also very tasty (you can eat many parts of them), and they will grow again if you leave the root in the ground :)

[ahje]

Bonus: Dandelion wine

[colechristensen]

Grow locally native pollinator plants if you can, or any flowering plant.