mike bispham
07-03-2009, 07:20 AM
I've been exploring the major nectar sources in my location to see what kinds of things might be done to improve the 'bee country' rating. Here in the UK there is some good pressure on farmers to increase bio-diversity and generally be a bit more eco-friendly, and I'm looking to find ways of helping that happen in ways that are supportive of the wild bee population.
One good candidate is the clovers. They are useful to farmers as free sources of nitrogen, as they fix the gas from the atmosphere, and are often seeded for sheep and (Ithink) cattle. I've clipped below a short exchange from another bee elist that tries to develop this aim, wondering if anyone would like to help with this general project...:
[Mike] Howes says white clover is improved by grazing, after which the flowers are smaller. He recommends crimson clover (aka 'Italian', 'Carnation' or 'trifolium') as best all round for bees. Wiki says its still used, though grows better in the south (I assume that's UK). He also says red is not nearly so good as white. But current strains in use might upset a lot of this - a survey would be great, enabling recommendations to be passed on to the farmers, perhaps along with a pint or three.
(poster replied: I planted my land up with the Clifton Park Mix from Hunters Seeds and this contains Red Clover, Alsike Clover, White Clover & Wild White Clover. I have watched my bees over the past few days working the large blooms of the White Clover, though I haven't seen them on the wild clover.)
[Mike] It makes sense I guess to aim at diversity in this kind of way. The various clovers will produce nectar under different weather and grazing conditions, and the bees will take those that suit them best at any particular time. Those chosen strains will then set more seed, and become more prevalant. Ahh, natural selection, ecology, such beautiful stuff, isn't it?
I wonder if seed producers can be encouraged to increase diversity? Or, I suppose, one could make up a mix by sourcing a range of suppliers then stirring them all together in a pot.
Mike (South-east UK)
http://www.suttonjoinery.co.uk/CCD/
One good candidate is the clovers. They are useful to farmers as free sources of nitrogen, as they fix the gas from the atmosphere, and are often seeded for sheep and (Ithink) cattle. I've clipped below a short exchange from another bee elist that tries to develop this aim, wondering if anyone would like to help with this general project...:
[Mike] Howes says white clover is improved by grazing, after which the flowers are smaller. He recommends crimson clover (aka 'Italian', 'Carnation' or 'trifolium') as best all round for bees. Wiki says its still used, though grows better in the south (I assume that's UK). He also says red is not nearly so good as white. But current strains in use might upset a lot of this - a survey would be great, enabling recommendations to be passed on to the farmers, perhaps along with a pint or three.
(poster replied: I planted my land up with the Clifton Park Mix from Hunters Seeds and this contains Red Clover, Alsike Clover, White Clover & Wild White Clover. I have watched my bees over the past few days working the large blooms of the White Clover, though I haven't seen them on the wild clover.)
[Mike] It makes sense I guess to aim at diversity in this kind of way. The various clovers will produce nectar under different weather and grazing conditions, and the bees will take those that suit them best at any particular time. Those chosen strains will then set more seed, and become more prevalant. Ahh, natural selection, ecology, such beautiful stuff, isn't it?
I wonder if seed producers can be encouraged to increase diversity? Or, I suppose, one could make up a mix by sourcing a range of suppliers then stirring them all together in a pot.
Mike (South-east UK)
http://www.suttonjoinery.co.uk/CCD/