honey crops

[PapaG]

We have a small parcel of land for cultivation. What would be a good plant in NE PA?

[beeman 202]

Since bees require a huge acreage that they harvest honey from, it has never shown to be economical to try to increase yield by planting.

It is however tremendously interesting to plant things the bees like and to be able to watch them work it.

on this website there have been many postings with appropriate advice on plantings that benefit the bees. To name a few: Clovers, alfalfa, (any legume), basswood, black locust, buckwheat, sage, and many, many more. It would be difficult to say that you would notice any increase in honey production by planting any of these, but if you, all your neighbors, and all their neighbors within 3 miles planted thousands of acres, I am sure your bees would be very happy and productive.

[Michael Bush]

I always figure if you want to plant it's more productive to plant things to fill in the gaps. Early and late pollen and nectar are important and sometimes missing.