Here’s Why We’re Buzzing About Cheerios’ Plan to Give Away 10 Million Seeds

If you hadn’t already noticed, Buzz the Bee is missing from his usual place on Cheerios boxes. His absence aims to bring awareness to the fact that bees are dying at an alarming rate — and we’re not doing enough to stop it.

To combat the serious decline in the bee population, Cheerios is partnering with Vesey’s, a purveyor of seeds, to give away free wildflower seeds to anyone who wants to create a bee-friendly habitat in their own backyard.

And aside from helping out your Mother Earth for free, planting wildflowers can also be a really neat springtime activity for kids!

They’ll get to sow the seeds, pull some weeds (it builds character, right?) and watch their hard work pay off all while learning how to give back to the planet they call home.  

How Do I Get My Free Seeds?

Simply fill out this form on the Cheerios website, and Vesey’s will ship your seeds to you within four to six weeks — just in time for the last of the frost.

It’s as simple as that!

Once you receive your seeds, you can find tips for planting and tending your new bee sanctuary on Vesey’s website. The process sounds pretty easy: Just find a good, sun-drenched patch of soil, plant your seeds, and make sure to keep the ground moist and the weeds away from the growing plants.

What Else Can I Do to Save the Bees?

While you wait for your seeds to arrive, check out some other ways you can help sustain the bee population. We all share the same earth, and it’s up to us to keep it healthy.

Cheerios’ goal is to hand out 100 million seeds this spring, so challenge your friends to do their part, too!

Your Turn: Do you plan to plant a wildflower garden this spring?

Grace Schweizer is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder. She signed up for her seeds and is so excited to grow some beautiful blooms!