5 Acre Field

[ronnyclif]

I started late this year, and caught one swarm last week, I am going to catch another Friday & combine the two. Wish me luck, as this will be my first catch from a wall! Question?? In this five acre patch what should I plant and when? Some clemson clover present currently.

[bjerm2]

Clover is always a good bet. Also milk weed, giant sunflower (blooms when no other sorce of nectar is around), crab apples for spring, and let golden rod take over.
http://farmseeds.com/forages/clovers/

Dan

[Michael Bush]

I always try to think in terms of filling the gaps. Something that blooms really early, really late or during a drought is usually the biggest help for your bees. But white clover is hard to beat. Red clover can't be worked by EHB's by all accounts I've heard. Crimson, I believe they can.

I'm fond of Buckwheat around here.

[ikeepbees]

Down here in the Deep South, vitex (chaste tree)and heather fill in the gap between summer and goldenrod nicely. I know the bees work them, but I don't know how much nectar they get from them during the hot months. If I remember correctly, sumac blooms sometime during the summer doldrums as well.

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Rob Koss