I'm in the midlands of south carolina, zone 7b.
I wanted to share some things I have learned about this, and also to open the matter up for more questions and discussion.
I am thinking about getting a little more serious about beekeeping. I am trying to figure out the best system for creating perenial bee pasture.
I have been planting fescue and clover. Fescue for general appearance, and of course, white clover for nectar. some red clover. No crimson since I hear bees can't use it as well.
I have avoided other types of clover since they form a tall weedlike habit.
I have had great success with buckwheat, as long as it's Mancan variety. Im convinced at this point that buckwheat is an important part of a sideline bee operation if one does not already have fields of alfalfa or heather within bee proximity, which I don't. Most folks around here grow fescue for cows. My neighbors are professional grass farmers. I have had some luck talking them into throwing some clover in their grain drills, but clover seed is 3 to 5 dollars a pound around here, depending on the type.
I hav heard suggestions about differnet types of clover, but after some research, I learned that some types are very tall and more weed-like than anything else. You can't move over it and still expect to have any type of a nectar production before season end. Since white and red clover are low growing, if you mow them they don't have a lot of growing to do to possibly produce another head. (now mind you I learned this second hand from a farmer neighbor, so I assume it is true.)
So what seed is out there with the following criteria:
1. price - comparable to clover - 3 to 5 dollars per pound;
2. able to be mowed/bush hogged once in the spring, once in the fall (or more frequent)
3. nectar production- sustained and high production.
4. perennial is preferred (the annual buckweat produces so much nectar for so long it is worth the trouble, though it is annual. And it does re-seed it'self.)
I wanted to share some things I have learned about this, and also to open the matter up for more questions and discussion.
I am thinking about getting a little more serious about beekeeping. I am trying to figure out the best system for creating perenial bee pasture.
I have been planting fescue and clover. Fescue for general appearance, and of course, white clover for nectar. some red clover. No crimson since I hear bees can't use it as well.
I have avoided other types of clover since they form a tall weedlike habit.
I have had great success with buckwheat, as long as it's Mancan variety. Im convinced at this point that buckwheat is an important part of a sideline bee operation if one does not already have fields of alfalfa or heather within bee proximity, which I don't. Most folks around here grow fescue for cows. My neighbors are professional grass farmers. I have had some luck talking them into throwing some clover in their grain drills, but clover seed is 3 to 5 dollars a pound around here, depending on the type.
I hav heard suggestions about differnet types of clover, but after some research, I learned that some types are very tall and more weed-like than anything else. You can't move over it and still expect to have any type of a nectar production before season end. Since white and red clover are low growing, if you mow them they don't have a lot of growing to do to possibly produce another head. (now mind you I learned this second hand from a farmer neighbor, so I assume it is true.)
So what seed is out there with the following criteria:
1. price - comparable to clover - 3 to 5 dollars per pound;
2. able to be mowed/bush hogged once in the spring, once in the fall (or more frequent)
3. nectar production- sustained and high production.
4. perennial is preferred (the annual buckweat produces so much nectar for so long it is worth the trouble, though it is annual. And it does re-seed it'self.)
, I'm going with dutch white and ladino clover next year, the trick is to bush-hog the tops and leave the plant about 8-10 inches and it will bloom till fall, would like to know a few other to plant though. good post
