Worldwide Beekeeping
Worldwide Beekeeping Resource Library => Honey, Bee Forage; Nectar & Pollen Sources => Topic started by: iddee on January 22, 2014, 05:04:29 pm
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http://honeybeenet.gsfc.nasa.gov/
http://honeybeenet.gsfc.nasa.gov/Honeybees/Forage.htm
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Great! I'm located almost exactly where 3 regions meet. That pretty much covers about 1/3 of the nation. It will be difficult to narrow that down.
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Hey, it could be worse! I live in "Area 13" :o
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I use this wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees
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We have lots of hazel nut aka filbert pollen.
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im right on that line where i fall between 8 and 11. just more choices for the bees i guess. how well do they like lilac? every thing i have looked up thus far has no mention of it.
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mama, lilac is of no value (pollen or nectar) to honey bees, and they don't work it.
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mama, lilac is of no value (pollen or nectar) to honey bees, and they don't work it.
I can attest to that mama, I have a huge lilac and I see lots of bumble bees but never a honey bee ~
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In normal years ??? the river maples and willow trees start budding out the second or third week in Feb.,but this year it's anyone's guess? Jack
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i just want to add, iddee's first post, the honey bee forage map is pretty cool, click on your state and it gives you in general what blooms and when, end bloom date, and the plant type.
papakeith's post # 4 is also a great reference tool as well for nectar sources for honey bees in the USA and can be sorted by the columns.
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Thanks! Very useful links.
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here's a clip i took an hour ago here in south central virginia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmBNa1yVU_I
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That was wonderful Ralph.. I watched it twice, then closed my eyes for the third run through and pretended I could feel the sun on my face.
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That was wonderful Ralph.. I watched it twice, then closed my eyes for the third run through and pretended I could feel the sun on my face.
oh dear. you're out 'there'. I see. Look I got a friend out there that's bout ready to throw in the towel with bees. Maybe you can jerk a knot in his neck and get him straight. Find me on facebook and I'll point you to him. Plus you can tame his evil crap down.
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LOL!
I don't have facebook anymore. They shut me down half a dozen times when I was trying to message my son when he was in Afganistan. Apparently thought maybe I was in cahoots with terrorists or something.. anyhow, after a bit of anger, I was back and doing OK.. then I get a message that they don't think I am a real person. In order to reactivate my account, they want a photocopy of my Drivers Licenses and my Social Security number... Uhh, I DON'T think so!!!!
A dozen Emails and more messages, and NEVER one response... I eventually gave up.. so.. No help on Facebook, but if I see your friend one day while I am "out there" I'll be ready to jerk that knot into place!
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Good day, they've never asked me for info like that. Sounds like a phishing attempt where a con artist hacker attempts to get you to submit data to a lookalike site/email and gain your financial information/identity.
Talked to him yesterday he said he's near waterloo, said you are like 3 hours away.
I told him about this site and your username if he signs up he might hunt you up.
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Good deal! Tell em if he doens't get in here I'll drive up there eat his food and drink his beer. Might even run off with his dog!
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Here are a couple of books on plants for bees.
Plants for Beekeeping in Canada & Northern USA. Jane Ramsay
Honey Plants of Harvey B Lovell Lawrence R. Goltz, Gleenings in Bee Culture
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Henbit here in East Kentucky, next to the brick on the south side of the foundation. About three weeks late.
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Dutch clover is beginning to bloom, the Black Locust is usually in bloom on May 10th here, but will be about a week late this year. Looks like the cold winter we had has killed my thornless blackberry canes for this year new canes are starting from there roots, will be a shortage of berries thisyear in our area. Jack
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The air is full of the sweet smell of Multifloral rose(sp?) and i've heard some beeks say they see bees on it? There is tons of the stuff around my area, but i've never seen a bee on it? From the way it smells, if i was a bee i would be drawn to it. ;D . The cold winter done the Black Locust trees in (no bloom) my fields and neighbors all around is white with Dutch clover and the bees are all over it. The Catalpa trees have buds ready to bloom (i have 6 of them), but the honey bees don't visit them much, only Bumbles and Wasp hit them hard?? Jack
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The Black Locust never bloomed this year? right now the sweet clover and dutch clover are still in bloom. The Button bush is blooming and the Vitex bushes are budding out. The first Buckwheat bloom is going to seed, i will wait for the seed to harden and disc it under for another bloom in 26 days, Might get 3 blooms from it this year. 8) Jack
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Have quite a few of the multiflower rose bushes down along the bottom and like you said, they are in full bloom.. Don't see many bees on it either.. THe mustard, thistle and clovers are going wild. Thinking the bees are more drawn to that. Plenty of rain, verging on the edge of too much. It has the blooming plants in overdrive, and so are the bees..
I have 26 hives here in the home yard.. I don't like going over 20, but this year none of them are having difficulty bringing the nectar in.. Last year at this time I was starting to feed..
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This has been one of the best Dutch clover years i've had, the girls are on it mourning till night. The neighbor across the road hasn't had time to cut his Alfalfa that has been in bloom going on two weeks now ;D My gain his loss. but i'll give him a quart of honey. :D Jack
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Lots of white clover here but my hives here at home ain't doing much. Their just getting back queen right from a double supersedure.
Yellow sweet clover is done. White sweet clover is still blooming but not enough nearby to help.
I saw one bloom on a Buckbrush a couple days ago.
My hive at Sparta is working something hard. Lots of milkweed and Buckbrush that hasn't started blooming yet. Hope they get the honey capped before the bears find them.
Lots of Ironweed here around the house that will bloom before too long.
Late frost got the redbuds and the honey locust here. I'm expecting a good weed crop so I'm not giving up yet.
My hives at walnut grove and bolivar are putting on a little but not setting any records.
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Hey Woody, i mowed my iron weed in the back pasture, i have never seen a bee on iron weed? Don't know if there are different types like goldenrod or not? i see very little action on the goldenrod around here. Don't know what color the honey will be this year, but the girls have been and still are all over the dutch clover this year ??? Jack
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I see bees on Ironweed here. I don't know if it's much of a producer. I doubt it. As long as white clover is blooming mine tend to remain loyal and bypass everything else. With all the rain I suspect white clover may bloom most of the summer.
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Still getting the dutch clover blooming here.. I try not to mow the yard as often, let it start to go dry,then mow again, in a couple of days there are more white clover heads poking up through the grass.. Been a wet spring summer so far, the river is OUT, the ponds are full. Been a good year for getting hives started.
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Yeah, their working my yard hard. I've been mowing half at a time. When the mowed half starts blooming I mow the other half.
Last night I had to mow it with a sickle mower. The chickens were getting lost in it.
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I know the flow has been over for several weeks now in my area. I still see bees bringing in pollen and was wondering what they might be getting right now. As I was driving around, I still see indian blanket and quite a bit of this little flower.
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs30.postimg.cc%2Fhqtuvo4rx%2FIMG_20140712_152302_895.jpg&hash=1acc78adb85335f2649ea01c86101476e58da7a4) (http://postimg.cc/image/hqtuvo4rx/)
This is partridge pea. Dont' really see it much in the fields, just mostly on roadsides. Don't know if the bees work it, but I bet they try. Looking it up, it is not supposed to be fed to cattle because the foliage can be poisonous. Does anyone else have this around their place?
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I don't have any partridge pea here that I know of. I did see a bee working the Buckbrush today. I only saw one bloom that was actually open but to be fair I had to put my reading glasses on to see the little booger.
They are so tiny. Until I got bees I didn't know Buckbrush had blooms. It's a good thing there's lots of them.
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Ironweed is starting to bloom pretty good here. I made a little circle in the field and saw a few bees working it.
It's been awhile since I looked it up but I believe there are different types.
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We got a small shower here yesterday afternoon and today the bees are on the Ironweed like white on rice.
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Woody, what time of day do you see the bees on Iron weed? or does it make a difference? Jack
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I've been working 6 days a week so I only take a walk around 5:30/6:00 in the evening. It must not be much of a producer. I've got a lot of it here and the girls have been working it hard but I checked a couple hives on Sunday and while they have plenty of fresh necter in the brood nest I'm not seeing much surplus.
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Went through 3+ weeks without rain and nothing in bloom. Getting rain now, the golden rod is in bloom ( we must have a different type) rarely see bees working it?? The aster, Beefsteak mint, Spanish needle, and neighbors Alfalfa should be next. Jack
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The bees are working the goldenrod?? First time i've seen that many bees on it. Jack
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The Aster bloom was about over, but the 21F temp. last night finished them off :o. I don't like Perry and Squirts weather, but i hope now that it stays in the 50F and 40F till spring (Yeh right). With the late warm weather and not much for the bees to collect, my heavy hives were getting light and i had to put feed on some. As my buddy perry says, it's worry time. ;D Jack
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(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs4.postimg.cc%2Fh0eimre09%2Fpeach_bloom.jpg&hash=6a5c557806c4442f74655204ac85721c2cadea6f) (http://postimg.cc/image/h0eimre09/)
Here is my first peach bloom. It was 30 degrees F this morning, but these blooms seem to have lived through it. There will be a few thousand more of these blooms in the next week or so.
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Peaches are quite ready to bloom yet here in north Texas, but I have seen a little pink on the buds.
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I got this buy way of facebook- http://www.michiganbees.org/-
http://pollinator.org/guides.htm
uses your zipcode
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I got this buy way of facebook- http://www.michiganbees.org/-
http://pollinator.org/guides.htm
uses your zipcode
Pretty good resource. PDF with information on local area pollen and nectar sources, as well as a lot more, but the chart with bloom times etc is Nice!
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The Black Locust never bloomed this year?
This is a late response to your statement, Jack, but I just read that only 1 out of 5 years will be a good bloom/forage year for black locust.
I sure would like to have one because the aroma is fantastic. Anyone have some black locust seed pods they would be willing to mail me?
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Is this plant hen bit, and do bees forage on it? This picture was taken on January 11th of this year.
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs14.postimg.cc%2Fa0g0pavtp%2FIMG_0461.jpg&hash=93979c469f19494e4e3efb0fb6ef5a2a04fe4953) (http://postimg.cc/image/a0g0pavtp/)
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Could be? there is a dead nettle that looks like it, but i don't know how to tell them apart? Jack
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I don't know the name of the plant either but my yard is full of them, comes up before any other plant and I have seen bees on them.
Ken
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Hi Gang!
This is Neill's Jeannie ;D
He asked me to id a plant that was pictured here-it is dead nettle- a near look alike is hen bit- the main id difference is where the flowers are on the plant. here are pictures of both - (we have snow !)
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs11.postimg.cc%2Fd9wkyyqun%2FRed_dead_nettle_flower_detail.jpg&hash=d91143d76ce3c473a28421461d647a47336cd82f) (http://postimg.cc/image/d9wkyyqun/)
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs16.postimg.cc%2F77y3zu3xt%2Fhenbit.jpg&hash=8466cb84d61ee498537d0bfe73d7f4b45470c47a) (http://postimg.cc/image/77y3zu3xt/)
Hope this helps- I have seen wild bees in our area foraging on both of them. Blessing Jeannie
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thanks 'neil's jeannie'!!!........... :D
and feel free to join in the fun anytime!
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@Jeannie:
Thanks for the informative post. If bees forage on it, I don't care what is called, but I am still happy to know the correct name. I have never heard the name "dead nettle." This little plant grows in clusters, and it is not uncommon to see an acre of more of this plant in one location. It is an early bloomer here. Thanks again for the identification.
lazy
Hmmmm, we now see who the smart one is in this family. :):):)
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lazy,
One's got the brains the other has the brawn! :)
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:D
They both are prolific groundcovers- another usually blooming at the same time is a pretty little vetch - pale violet color much more delicate in color.... can't find a picture, tho. I love watching our girls fly against the sun...Neill is the bee guy , tho. Thanks for all the good info you have helped us with gang.
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lol! now i am really going to have to read neil's posts more closely to figure out who's posting!............. :D :D :D
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RB,
Jeannie has always been a storehouse of info on wild plants, herbs and wild foraging. To me they were always weeds but she knows them all and what they are good for.
She has had severe anaphalactic reaction to wasp sting in the past and just about any sting will send her to the medicine cabinet for benadryl and sometimes the epipen. She loves the bees but is terrified of them at the same time.
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I wanted to find out more about weeds after my brothers, buddies, and my self broke out in whelps and itched like crazy one summer when we had a wrestling match, without shirts on. :o We know why they call it smart weed now. :D Jack
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smarts, don't it Jack! :)
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maple, witch hazel and maybe alder blooming here
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"RB,
Jeannie has always been a storehouse of info on wild plants, herbs and wild foraging. To me they were always weeds but she knows them all and what they are good for.
She has had severe anaphalactic reaction to wasp sting in the past and just about any sting will send her to the medicine cabinet for benadryl and sometimes the epipen. She loves the bees but is terrified of them at the same time."
neil, it's nice to have someone here with a 'plant' brain! my mom and mr. river are the same way, and i have two friends that are horticulturists. often times someone here posts a pic of something asking for help to identify it. hope we can take advantage of her skills!
stings? benadryl and eppy's? i am quite familiar. i am also allergic, but i still keep them, so far, so good! i hope someday for her that she can relax and not be so terrified. best wishes to her! she can read here:
Riverbee's Journey (http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/index.php/topic,572.msg6697.html#msg6697)
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Neills' :) Jeannie here- RB thanks for the words of encouragement- I love watching the girls- and am fine until they start getting friendly LOL most of the time I can manage my pheromones - but occasionally have to just walk away. Been on the ventilator several times, so have to be safe- yet love the silly critters . I keep going down to the bee yard...sound familiar?
It has been fun ,learning to see my herbs through the eyes of beekeeper Neill!
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Bees bringing in light yellow and pale greenish yellow pollen in the Clinton Lake, Douglas County, KS area. It looked like elms and maples blooming. The willows have just finished blooming.
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Is this plant hen bit, and do bees forage on it? This picture was taken on January 11th of this year.
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs14.postimg.cc%2Fa0g0pavtp%2FIMG_0461.jpg&hash=93979c469f19494e4e3efb0fb6ef5a2a04fe4953) (http://postimg.cc/image/a0g0pavtp/)
Hi lazy shooter, I just read your post. Our bees will work henbit. Sometimes they find something else more appealing. Up here, some beekeepers get VERY excited to see the henbit bloom. I looked at my records and last year henbit bloomed on 3/26, the apples trees were a couple of days later, with dandelions close behind on 3/31. So henbit kind of signals the beginning of the exciting food resources for our girls.
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I too am always excited to see hen bit. It means it won't be long now.
Here in SW MO. My hawthorns are in full bloom and abuzz. Maple, willow and elm are done. Redbuds are getting close. Only seeing a few dandelions. Bradford pears are going strong.
It seems to me that my bees didn't have much build up time before things started budding out. I didn't start my spring feeding until the first of March but probably could have started a week earlier.
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Woody, that is just what I am seeing here. My currant is blooming and the dandelions are scattered.
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It's going to be a great Dutch Clover year in my area, the fields are covered with it, but not in bloom yet. Like others have said the dandelions are scattered, i also see wild plum trees in bloom and some dogwood trees.Went through 7 hives today, 5 were booming 2 had dwindled down to two frames of bees and no brood (queenless)??. Stuck a frame of brood and eggs in both, one still had 60 lbs, of honey and the other 40 to 50 lbs of honey, both also had 3 to 4 frames of pollen. Seems like the last few years i have hives come up queenless in march,any of you seeing this? Jack
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Yes, and hearing about even more. Checked a man's hive this morning. Not a bee in it, but a deep and 2 mediums full of honey and pollen.
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Went through 14 more hives today, found two more queenless, very few bees and lots of honey? We have had many 60+f days with strong hives working next to these queeless hives, but have not robbed them? Maybe they just haven't found them yet, very strange?? Jack
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wild plum, serviceberry, and redbud getting worked today! Spring is here! :)
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Our weather has seen 70 degrees only to drop down in to freezing some nights this week. On Easter we had rain mixed with snow. Enough snow to cover all the grass. By 4 o'clock the sun was out and the bees were flying and the snow was melted.
Red buds are in full bloom, henbit has been in bloom over 1 week and the dandelions are starting to all bloom. Pears are in full bloom, peaches just about ready to pop and it won't be long before the sour cherries bloom.
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Redbud and apples are about to wrap up. Dogwoods are peaking and hackberry is in full bloom.
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Poplar have blooms starting to open on a few lower branches. Blackberry starting as well as wild cherry in full swing.
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Dutch clover started blooming about a week ago. I saw some yellow sweet clover blooming in a empty lot yesterday. Nothing else of value to the bees.
The neighbors cottonwood tree is releasing its annual cotton seed balls.
My peonies are blooming, which I think is really early. As a child, I remember my grandmother always expecting peonies in bloom to take to the cemetery for Memorial Day(Decoration Day). It's 3 weeks until Memorial Day. In the old cemeteries, they planted peonies right on top of the graves. I thought that was because they bloomed on Memorial Day and the graves would be pretty for the holiday.
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My front field is white whit Dutch clover and large patch's all over my pastures and neighbors and the bees are all over it. :yes: Will broadcasting an acre of Buckwheat this afternoon, the plot is ready for seed and rain and storms broadcasted for tomorrow. Jack
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We received rain and hail last night. White Dutch clover started blooming about a week ago and yellow sweet clover just starting. Sweet clover is classed as an invasive plant. Invasive, but it sure does feed a lot of live stock, bees and butterflies.
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I have 25 colony's here at the farm (hives and starter nuc's) and you would think you could see the bees working the dutch clover everywhere, but there is so much of it and the bees are working it hard and if you stand and listen and watch, there will be bees on every patch of it. The sweet clover hasn't started to bloom here yet, it takes a certain type of soil to have a good stand like road ditches old rock quarries ect. and it blooms every other year,it does produce a lot of nectar and good flavored honey. The honey locust trees are shedding there blooms now and yesterday i sowed about 2 acres of buckwheat, wild flowers and herbs for the girls. I bought a pound bag of wild flower seed that is supposed to be flowers that bees and butter flies love, i mixed in sweet clover seed, buckwheat and turnip seed, and stirred it in good before i broadcast it and run the disk over it lightly, it was a good size bag of flower seed for only a pound and a little pricey $30.00, hope i didn't get took? Jack
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We received rain and hail last night. White Dutch clover started blooming about a week ago and yellow sweet clover just starting. Sweet clover is classed as an invasive plant. Invasive, but it sure does feed a lot of live stock, bees and butterflies.
Cattle farmers do not like it due to the potential risk it could cause the cows Here is information on how it can effect cows. and why a farmer may get upset if he finds out your playing Johny Appleseed around their farm.
http://igrow.org/livestock/beef/using-sweet-clover-wisely/
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I don't know what this plant is, but the bees have been on it heavy for the past week. You can hear the buzz as you approach the plant. I have two of them. They are in my yard, but they were here when we purchased the home.
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs32.postimg.cc%2Faxfiws08h%2FIMG_0524.jpg&hash=0c2d0cbe9111e95d08e61e986381751422c2d851) (http://postimg.cc/image/axfiws08h/)
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs32.postimg.cc%2Fxhoe2ra5t%2FIMG_0525.jpg&hash=356b467b9acf58780ee19ade4e31548eb8ec58a3) (http://postimg.cc/image/xhoe2ra5t/)
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Lazy, that may be a Ligustrum.
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Lazy, looks like privet. Good source of nectar. I bought 6 privet to plant if it ever dries up enough to dig.
66061: poppies, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Carolina lupine.
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66061: Catalpa, Little Leaf Linden, Sweetspire, catmint. Dutch clover and yellow sweet clover still blooming.
Vitex very close to blooming.
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66061: Golden Rain Tree, Basswood, Purple Cone Flower, Vitex, Elderberries,caryopteris, Culver's Root, Veronica.
Linden, White Dutch Clover and yellow sweet clover wrapping up.
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Dutch clover still everywhere, sweet white and yellow clover in bloom, Russian Sage, lavender, Vitex just about ready to bloom,and the Buckwheat is in full bloom, the first of the 3 blooms i'll off it IF the weather co-operates? The thorn less blackberries that i turned the cows in on, and the ate the leaves off of, have put on new leaves and are in full bloom? Jack
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Vitex is full bloom. Smell is wonderful. Natives and honey bees all over. Many girls on water duty tonight.
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Mimosa...tree, not beverage. :o
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6/24
66061 Inula helenium
Bumblebees working blooms. Usually short blooming period, but timely rain has extended bloom.
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Sourwood in full bloom as is the clover in the hay fields after first cutting in east ky.
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The Sumac is just about ready to bloom hear. Jack
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Mesquite trees are in full bloom.
lazy
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Soybeans are just beginning to bloom. 66061
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Bee Bee tree "evodia" started blooming yesterday. 27317
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It has been a weird bloom season here. It's as if the flowers are in a hurry to bloom. Might be coincidental but we had a very mild winter and seldom had any snow cover. The black locust hardly put out any blooms, so we won't have that beautiful light honey like last year. Right now the Rose of Sharon are starting to bloom (we have loads of them in the neighborhood) and my Joe Pye weed. Mountain mint in full bloom along with Anise Hyssop, the bees love them.
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Sumac and still dutch clover, then of course my Buckwheat and Vitex, moon flowers. Jack
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(https://s32.postimg.cc/hifr25bzl/20160725_084659_resized.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/hifr25bzl/)
I let this vining milkweed grow. It has grown better than the vines I bought and planted. The bees are working it. It is supposed to be an excellent nectar plant. Unfortunately it is growing up the handrail on the front porch.
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Russian Sage, Moon flowers,Vitex,some Dutch clover,Mimosa trees, and Buckwheat. Been in the upper 90F's for last 2 or 3 ? weeks, Much needed Rain this mourning at this moment. :yes: Jack
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Hot summer is here, it's bermuda grass. :)
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Hot here also and no rain but a few sprinkle for the last month and a half so nothing in bloom here, in fact all the trees are in stress and leaves turning and the weeds are about dead also, in another two weeks we will be a desert in the making.
Ken
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Russian Sage, Moon flowers,Vitex,some Dutch clover,Mimosa trees, and Buckwheat. Been in the upper 90F's for last 2 or 3 ? weeks, Much needed Rain this mourning at this moment. :yes: Jack
I got a little bit of rain too. The Dutch clover is still hanging on in spots. My Vitex is about done blooming. Still producing nectar though.
I noticed yesterday that the vining milkweed is growing around the neighborhood. The honey bees are all over them.
Jack, haven't the Mimosa trees been beautiful this year?
kebee, hope you get some rain soon.
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Yes B12, the Mimosa trees have out done there selves this year and the Dutch clover, i've not had this much clear honey in a long time. :no: Jack
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Cup plants have been blooming for almost a week now.
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Don't know what a cup plant is? We still have some dutch clover blooming and the goldenrod is starting to bloom (seems a little early for Goldenrod?) lots of blackeyed susans in full bloom, but never see bees on them? The only thing i can think of yet to bloom is the Aster, Beefsteak Mint, and my last buckwheat field. Jack
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Don't know what a cup plant is?
Here is a picture of a small cup plant that came up from seed this year. I hope you can tell, the leaves form a cup that hold rain water. The mature plants are way over my head, 7-8 ft tall and I couldn't get a good picture of the blooms.
(https://s4.postimg.cc/6jhc777ix/20160815_182956_resized_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6jhc777ix/)
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@Baker:
Thanks for posting the Cup plant picture. I have a few of those on my ranch by an old home stead. I had no idea what they were. Mine plants are smaller, but that could be a function of the soil and lack of rain. They are an unusual plant.
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Yes, lazy. The stem is square and if allowed to remain until spring, they are hollow. My neighbor doesn't like them because they block the view. They have multiplied over the years and have become a little thicket. With all the rain we have had, the seeds have sprouted and they are really tall this year. It is a prairie plant, so I image there is a tap root.
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The only thing i can think of blooming now is Perry. :laugh: :laugh: Jack
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Jack:
So you think Perry is the flower of his family. He is the blooming idiot? You think? :):)
lazy
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I was thinking his spirit in starting his honey house and his passion for bees? But i think your take is better. :laugh: :laugh: Jack
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This is Mexican Petunia. It is an invasive, drought resistant plant that is green all year long. It spreads from the roots and is a FAVORITE of bumble bees. They are on it every morning. I just weeded around the edges to keep it the size that I want.
lazy
(https://s13.postimg.cc/52nwj9veb/IMG_0006.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/52nwj9veb/)
(https://s13.postimg.cc/x41xwz0oj/IMG_0007.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/x41xwz0oj/)
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Fall flow just starting here in Central Arizona Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina) has just gone into flower for the second time this year with the monsoon rains
(https://s13.postimg.cc/d38cbo9pv/Prosopis_velutina_flowers_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/d38cbo9pv/)
Also Tamarisk
(https://s4.postimg.cc/fx3ucpemh/tamarisk.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/fx3ucpemh/)
And allot of small wild flowers and grasses coming as well....
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66061: Sunflowers starting to bloom and saw some Goldenrod showing a bit of color.
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neat photos everyone! cool to see the pix of what's blooming where you live!
goldenrod is awesome here this year! best since 4 or maybe 5 years, and started several weeks ago, and still going strong! bee balm, thistle and another rally of crown vetch. we have had quite a bit of rain (and some downpours) and storms with extremely high winds; lots of flooding and downed trees. power and internet going out. old massive cottonwood came down, not sure how old this tree was, 100? 200? maybe older? it was massive! older neighbors said it's been there since the beginning of time........ :D bad part, when it came down, came down in our prairie restoration area.
flooding on the river also took out our bridge........guess it's going to be out until 2018.......... i really don't care.........we have a back way in.... :D
i have seen a plant/flower i have never seen before here on the river, the bumbles are working it, trying to find out what it is!
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66061: Sweet autumn clematis
Vitex has another flush of blooms at the top because of all the recent rains. Bumblebees were working it hard tonight.
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66061: Sedums, goldenrod, blue pitcher sage and Caryopteris.
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Thanks to all of the posts. I am making notes on what I am planting here for my bees and for a natural environment. It is better than grass no matter how it works out.
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Thanks to all of the posts. I am making notes on what I am planting here for my bees and for a natural environment. It is better than grass no matter how it works out.
vvand111, what zone are you in? 8? I would think crepe myrtle would be a good place to start. Crepe Myrtle has a lot of varieties to choose from and is a very good pollen source and a good nectar source. Not knowing your situation, I would suggest getting acquainted with what nectar and pollen producers are growing in your neck of the woods. When you know what is available, figure out their bloom times. If you can, you will want to plant something that doesn't bloom when everything else is blooming. This will give your bees something to bring in and less you have to feed. Your local county extension office or the University of Georgia might be helpful with bloom dates.
Keep us posted on what you decide. Sounds interesting.
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66061:
After last Friday's torrential downpours I am seeing another flush of blooms on the Vitex tree. This tree has been blooming since early June.
Bees are bringing in orange pollen which I assume is Maximillian Sunflower.
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Goldenrod is just starting to bloom, i hope the bees work it like they did last year, in years past i rarely seen bees on it? Like B12, my vitex is blooming again, and the Moon flowers. If all goes well i think we will have a good Aster bloom, with all the rain we've had the plants are huge. :yes: Jack
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Lot of Joe Pye Weed in bloom here
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jack, we had a prolific goldenrod bloom this year.........it was early, and now just dying out. goldenrod everywhere. walk through the goldenrod to the river and my bees all over it..........pretty cool!
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(https://s21.postimg.cc/5vta0f53n/20160913_174751_resized.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5vta0f53n/)
(https://s13.postimg.cc/sxd9pvpur/White_Snakeroot.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sxd9pvpur/)
(https://s13.postimg.cc/gqhrff2xf/White_Snakeroot_2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gqhrff2xf/)
These are photos I took at work, on 9/13, in South Kansas City. The first is an example of a native Aster. The color of the petals bleached out in this photo. They were really a pale lavender.
The 2nd and 3rd are White Snakeroot, a member of the Eupatorium family which includes Joe Pye Weed.
Pictures 1 and 2 have Smart Weed at the bottom. It's the sweet little pink bloom. Smart Weed is supposed to be a nectar plant for honey bees, but I have never seen any bees working it. In some areas it is supposed to be a significant resource.
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RB, like you said, the goldenrod is everywhere this year, and it's just starting to bloom. I watched a patch in full bloom yesterday and seen 3 bees on it along with wasp, bumbles, and beetles that look like lightening bugs? For some reason bees don't work goldenrod here like in other parts of the country, but last year they were all over it? The Beefsteak mint has it's spike and is about ready to bloom ( seems a little early?) , and the bees will work it like crazy and leave the goldenrod alone ??? The Aster and Spanish Needle are starting to bud out and my Buckwheat is in fuill bloom. I broadcast 1/2 an acre of Rape yesterday, it should bloom in late Oct.? I've heard bees like it, but the honey from it isn't that great? I also broadcast an acre of Crimson clover only, just to see how the girls take to it. Jack
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Goldenrod starting to bloom everywhere. Also Snakeroot and white deadnettle.
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For those of you that have never seen one, here is a picture of some tumble weeds.
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs14.postimg.cc%2Fuzrfxy2wd%2FIMG_0014.jpg&hash=d546e1d2e0407625922b8c03f44a320b1f3cc35a) (http://postimg.cc/image/uzrfxy2wd/)
lazy
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............ :D :D :D :laugh:
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For the record I wanted to add that my Vitex tree just finished blooming. It had been blooming since early June. Bloom duration is definitely effected by rainfall. Another observation: Morning, noon or night the tree was covered with bumble bees and honey bees along with various other pollinators.
Jack, I agree about Goldenrod. 120-150 species of Goldenrod and honey bees will only work certain species.
Neil, can you take a picture of the white dead nettle? I am curious.
lazy, that looks like something you might put in your smoker. :D
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B12, your right about vitex and rain, but buy accident i planted one by the spring in my yard and it will bloom till frost. :yes: One bad thing about vitex that i don't under stand is, the Japanese Beetles will gather on it to mate, BUT don't eat it like they do other plants??? Goldenrod is in full bloom and i see a few bees working it, but not like you would think? It may be because the Beef steak mint is beginning to bloom and they are all over it. Jack
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Doing the best I can here in the south on meadow development hope I can contribute later but I am reading all your post and learning.
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B12,
I went out with camera in hand with every intention of capturing a photo of white deadnettle. Alas, the little patch I had along my driveway has played out. I did still see some along the road today but no camera. So, I grabbed a pic off of google. Sorry.
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs14.postimg.cc%2Fhparage25%2Fdeadnettle.jpg&hash=9cf90815fd51ecc8f4b7bf2fa4c458ae7fdca3fa) (http://postimg.cc/image/hparage25/)
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Thanks Neil. Do honeybees work it?
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B12,
They work it but no telling how much they get out of it. It is a cousin to snakeroot, another flower they work this time of year.
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Noticed a couple of days ago the Vitex was blooming again. Not much, but what was there was covered with bees. We are due for another rain this weekend, so this might continue a bit longer.
My aromatic asters that I started from seed are starting to bloom. Also blooming is a type of aster that I need to figure out the name of.
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs9.postimg.cc%2Ftr1bhecm3%2F20160924_190626_resized.jpg&hash=f73accd67424c009bd39637fb6a1ef776a4b3578) (http://postimg.cc/image/tr1bhecm3/)
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Right now we have Gutierrezia sarothrae (broom snakeweed) blooming everywhere after the recent rain. Not much rain as of late, but it set this off and the bees are working it hard along with the creosote bushes.....
(https://s17.postimg.cc/lq77vws3v/snake_weed.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/lq77vws3v/)
(https://s21.postimg.cc/jppt97byr/14369960_1686733561647433_4447878249936814545_n.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/jppt97byr/)
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caught a whiff of the distinctive fragrance of goldenrod honey in the bee yard today :)
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Aster going strong, the Beef steak mint is just about done and the goldenrod, i didn't see very many on the goldenrod? My moon flowers are still in bloom. Jack
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Asters blooming like crazy as well as sunflowers along Kansas Turnpike.
Sugar maples, along State Line in South Kansas City, starting to turn. It should be a good year for fall color around here.
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Still seeing some goldenrod. Asters are still showy along the highways.
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Aster is the only wild flower i see in bloom that they work heavy.Some of my Buckwheat is still blooming, i also put about an acre of Rape out that is about 4 in. high now, it is supposed to bloom early and the bees work it? I have read that the honey has a off taste to it. (not very good) Jack
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Was out with Sweet Wife today as she stopped about every half mile to harvest goldenrod along the road. Also lots of asters in bloom, very pretty. Shrubs, small trees and maples are turning. Rest of the trees are paler green-fall colors are coming on!
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This plant came from one of those soil builder seed mixes. It is 10 feet tall and has a bloom that resembles a pea bloom. The bees love it. It is going to make a lot of seed if anyone is interested. It is in full bloom at this moment, maybe a bit past the full bloom as I see some seeds developing. The seed pods look like a short pea seed.
lazy
(https://s9.postimg.cc/3r2l2skyj/IMG_0033.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3r2l2skyj/)
(https://s22.postimg.cc/iw6jndzel/IMG_0054.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/iw6jndzel/)
(https://s15.postimg.cc/6jpqc92k7/IMG_0051.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6jpqc92k7/)
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Only thing blooming here is Aster and the bees are all over it and seeing a lot of Monarch Butterfly's working it also. Jack
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Asters are all that's left here too. I do see an occasional sunflower still blooming. We have the Heath Asters and New England Asters. The butterflies I working everything with a bloom like crazy. The 90 degree temperature brought out the butterflies.
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Here is another picture of a 12-foot tall pea vine. I have no idea what these plants are. lazy
(https://s16.postimg.cc/uyjca5evl/IMG_0055.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/uyjca5evl/)
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lazy, I did a quick search for your plant at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower website. www.wildflower.org (http://www.wildflower.org)
I didn't find anything. I probably don't have enough info to properly do a search. I was looking in the Fabaceae or pea family since that is what you called it. The blooms do look similar to a pea.
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We have Texas Sage, Broom Weed and Elaeagnus in full bloom here this week. Into the 50's at night. Other shrubs blooming and ignored by honey bees are butterfly bush and abelia. Have seen constant flow of butterflies visiting abelias. No monarchs for two or three weeks Jack. A frontal passage with forecast winds to 40 mph today will move the monarchs through very quickly.
Bees are BUSY! As much traffic at the hive entrance as I've seen this season. Mature hives have stored another deep super (some more, some less) since first week in October. A lot of yellow pollen for larvae, brood nests have contracted by 25-30% only. Thing is, broom weed honey tastes real bad... So, this year, the bees will go into winter with large honey reserves. :)
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This plant came from one of those soil builder seed mixes...a lot of seed if anyone is interested.
Two things Lazy, does the soil builder seed mix have a list of seeds in the mix? I would take you up on those seeds, we'll get together sometime. :)
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Lburou, we have what the old timers call bitter weed that makes bad tasting honey. Well two years ago we had our annual honey tasting contest at our bee club, i took a pint of good honey and a pint of bitter weed honey and they give you a sticker to put your initial on the bottom of the jar ;D Some how our club presidents initials got put on the bad honey jar and he couldn't be there that meeting. :D Some members made a bad face, some spit it in the waste basket, and some said it wasn't bad? He has never said a word about it :no: but i know he waiting for a clue. :laugh: :laugh: Jack
PS. we had our honey tasting contest again llast month and it never came up? ???
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...That is funny! :laugh:
And, you planted a seed...
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Aromatic and Heath asters still blooming. Honey bees are bringing in a bright red pollen.
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I am still seeing small patches of dutch clover blooming with this unusually warm fall weather. While at work yesterday, I observed a honey bee on one of those patches. She, along with several small butterflies, were on a sunny, south facing slope. At this time I am sure it was the only nectar available.
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This plant came from one of those soil builder seed mixes. It is 10 feet tall and has a bloom that resembles a pea bloom. The bees love it. It is going to make a lot of seed if anyone is interested. It is in full bloom at this moment, maybe a bit past the full bloom as I see some seeds developing. The seed pods look like a short pea seed.
lazy
(https://s9.postimg.cc/3r2l2skyj/IMG_0033.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3r2l2skyj/)
(https://s22.postimg.cc/iw6jndzel/IMG_0054.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/iw6jndzel/)
The name of the above plant is sun hemp.
(https://s15.postimg.cc/6jpqc92k7/IMG_0051.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6jpqc92k7/)
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Thanks for letting us know the name of the plant, lazy.
I noticed some wild asters and goldenrod blooming along the side of the road this afternoon.
They are calling for a freeze tomorrow night so I just dug up the rhizomes to my Dahlias. They just really started to bloom well for the first time.
(https://s18.postimg.cc/946v5gs9x/20161111_165043_resized.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/946v5gs9x/)
I don't usually bother with storing them overwinter, but I thought these were quite eye catching.
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Bottlebrush is blooming again in our area (Victoria, Texas). It was blooming the end of April.
(https://s13.postimg.cc/7uytprztf/2016_11_17_Bees_N_Bottlebrush_22.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7uytprztf/)
(https://s13.postimg.cc/n4yowyvbn/2016_11_17_Bees_N_Bottlebrush_24.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/n4yowyvbn/)
I almost forgot. I have a question.
Does bottlebrush provide nectar, pollen, or both?
Thanks.
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I know turnip greens don't bloom until next spring, but here's about 40 acres of them.
(https://s15.postimg.cc/766mr5nlj/turnip_patch.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/766mr5nlj/)
This nice Brangus girl will do her best to eat the turnips to the ground before they bloom. She and about 26 more of her compadres. These turnips are about 14-inches high and growing.
(https://s13.postimg.cc/olytv8yyb/brangus_girl.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/olytv8yyb/)
lazy
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Bottlebrush is blooming again in our area (Victoria, Texas). It was blooming the end of April.
(https://s13.postimg.cc/7uytprztf/2016_11_17_Bees_N_Bottlebrush_22.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7uytprztf/)
(https://s13.postimg.cc/n4yowyvbn/2016_11_17_Bees_N_Bottlebrush_24.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/n4yowyvbn/)
I almost forgot. I have a question.
Does bottlebrush provide nectar, pollen, or both?
Thanks.
I've spent some time watching the bees (not through the lens), and figured out they are sucking nectar out of the bottle brush. It's hard to see how, since the buds are so small.
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Warm and sunny today. Bees are bring in pale yellow pollen. What could be blooming in January?
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Sawdust if someone is cutting wood nearby. :laugh:
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Sawdust if someone is cutting wood nearby. :laugh:
Good one Perry! :laugh:
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Think it could be witch hazel. I'll walk the creek tomorrow to see.
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They will work a sawdust pile.
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They will work a sawdust pile.
why would they work a sawdust pile? Are they looking for protein in the sawdust?
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They will work a sawdust pile.
why would they work a sawdust pile? Are they looking for protein in the sawdust?
Carpenter bees?
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I think it is more out of desperation than anything. I am not quite sure why they do it (seen it myself), maybe there is a bit of moisture or perhaps propolis to be had?
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Warm and sunny today. Bees are bring in pale yellow pollen. What could be blooming in January?
And now for something entirely different. :D
I have seen my bees bringing in pollen on a winter day. What I have seen is a dark orange colored pollen. Nothing in bloom, but they find faded blooms that are still standing. I don't know if it's nutritious. I have read that they prefer bringing in pollen over utilizing stored pollen.
Anyway Neil, I would say that was a good sign that all is right in the colony. It's also a good reason for not cutting down faded perennials in the fall. Native bees use the stems of some perennials and natives to nest in during the winter months too.
Could something be in bloom that offers yellow pollen? Witch Hazel, Hellebore, crocus, and willow are possibilities in your area. We usually don't see anything now but Hellebores. ( Writers note: The website censored the name of the willow variety. I will say it is the bush type with catkins.)
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Mystery solved. Walked along our creek and the Witch Hazel in full sun is in full bloom with honey bees and wild pollinators working it. The bushes in shade are just forming flower buds which could end badly with another bad cold snap.
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thanks for the update, Neil.
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ditto!
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Sunny and low sixties. All hives flying and bringing in off white and pale yellow pollen. Think maybe witch hazel and maple? :)
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Sunny and low sixties. All hives flying and bringing in off white and pale yellow pollen. Think maybe witch hazel and maple? :)
Elms perhaps?
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In Charlotte today, veronica (speedwell) is open, so is mahonia (oregon grape ). My bees are working something else, though, don't know what.
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In Charlotte today, veronica (speedwell) is open, so is mahonia (oregon grape ). My bees are working something else, though, don't know what.
I have Mahonia too. It's in the shade and nothing works it. It's a sucker shoot off the original planting that died out.
Elm and Maple buds starting to swell here.
Neil, I think I am about 4 weeks behind you. Last fall I went to Conway, Ark for a funeral. I guessed then that there was a 4 week difference. I think that's probably right.
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This thread isn't about books, but... ;)
Kelley Beekeeping currently has this book on sale for $25.50. It's Garden Plants for Honey Bees by Peter Lindtner. https://www.kelleybees.com/Shop/8/Home-Gifts/Books/4818/Garden-Plants-Book (https://www.kelleybees.com/Shop/8/Home-Gifts/Books/4818/Garden-Plants-Book) This book is a really good resource book. The color pictures are great and it is laid out by calendar year. So, if you live in the far south or far north you may need to adjust the time frame a little bit. I use this book constantly, year round. Some sellers list this book for as much as $45. This book will help the beekeeper determine how well an apiary sight will do and what you can plant to keep a nectar flow going without gaps.
I don't know how long the sale will last.
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Brittle Bush,
(https://s28.postimg.cc/7lbxkd2vd/brittlebush.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/7lbxkd2vd/)
Desert Mallow,
(https://s24.postimg.cc/eayn5eh3l/desert_mallow_encelia_actonii.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/eayn5eh3l/)
Now starting up blooming early due to all the winter rain, gonna be quite a show this year and good for bees....
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That's good to see, nugget.
I'm starting to see a few weeds put out a little bloom, but nothing else. The bees are acting like they're finding something, though.
(https://s30.postimg.cc/5ih4mwfot/20170128_120138.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5ih4mwfot/)
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Wandering Man, looks like henbit to me. Bees like it, it's an OK nectar source. Aaahhh! Weeds! :)
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Wow! I wasn't expecting an identification.
Thanks Bakersdozen.
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/weeds/hgic2321.html
Looked it up. That looks like what we have. Funny how I'm wondering how to make it happy, and the site wants to help me control it.
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:D Those "happy" little runners from henbit can take over pretty quick and crowd out any fescue you might have. We won't have henbit until the first week of March +/-. My neighbor has a patch that my bees really like.
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Henbit and Dead Nettle grows together here and i have a hard time telling them apart? Jack
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Wanted to show pics of what wifey said is red maple.
(https://s22.postimg.cc/74mv73glp/0213171712.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/74mv73glp/)
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Yes, red maples opened last Friday in our area (NC). Red buds opened over the weekend and really opened today. My bees were all over every dandelion flower they could find this past weekend.
Wanted to show pics of what wifey said is red maple.
(https://s22.postimg.cc/74mv73glp/0213171712.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/74mv73glp/)
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Blow up that pic.
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Caught it just rite with sun light
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This is normally barren dry soil and rocks, this year my beloved desert is alive with green and a show is soon to begin. This annual is called Arch-nutted Comb Bur, Pectocarya recurvata and is covering vast areas right now, amazing and will post more soon....
(https://s3.postimg.cc/m7xtrpr33/2_14_17.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/m7xtrpr33/)
(https://s16.postimg.cc/94mebkusx/2_14_17a.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/94mebkusx/)
Info from one of my favorite ID sites for our deserts.... http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/fieldguide/plantae/pectocarya.html (http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/fieldguide/plantae/pectocarya.html)
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Great pictures! I have a maple tree out front that is ready to pop, but hasn't yet Mikey. Up to now, I had figured our winters to be comparable. Nectarine trees and fruitless pear trees are just now starting to bloom.
I planted mahonia for the early yellow blooms, they are setting fruit now with a few blooms remaining. Don't know if anything works them or not, but their leaves can cut you if you are not careful.
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Nugget Shooter.
That looks like a succulent. Wow.
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It's a beautiful world.
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It's a beautiful world.
Mikey, we don't see the world as it is, we see the world as WE are. :yes:
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Desert Marigold... Just starting up (2 weeks or more early) they will soon be everywhere along with Golden Crownbeard and Brittlebush turning the hillsides yellow.
(https://s11.postimg.cc/pnhpu1073/desertmarigoldsm.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/pnhpu1073/)
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Finally! 2/15/17 66061 I observed my bees bringing in a grayish green or brown pollen today. I am not too sure what the source is. It's a little too early for red maples. The silver maples are definitely blooming up in the tree tops. So, the weeping willows should be too.
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California Poppy starting here as well now....
(https://s24.postimg.cc/5u7rr6sv5/poppy.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5u7rr6sv5/)
(https://s4.postimg.cc/enqwrpsl5/poppya.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/enqwrpsl5/)
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Fellow beekeeper in my community reported henbit in bloom on 2/10/17. 66061
Maybe I should rake leaves so my bees can find the hen bit!
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Finally! 2/15/17 66061 I observed my bees bringing in a grayish green or brown pollen today. I am not too sure what the source is. It's a little too early for red maples. The silver maples are definitely blooming up in the tree tops. So, the weeping willows should be too.
According to this site https://www.pollen.com/forecast/current/pollen/66051 you should have Juniper and Elm pollen. I don't know if your bees know this or not.
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According to this site https://www.pollen.com/forecast/current/pollen/66051 you should have Juniper and Elm pollen. I don't know if your bees know this or not.
:laugh: They know something is blooming!
I trip out to the country to scout a new apiary location showed the elms were in full bloom on 2/16/17.
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2/21/17 66061 I noticed the witch hazel was in bloom this morning.
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Pear trees, redbuds, baby's breath, maples-bees are working hard!
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66061: Dry, dry, dry. So windy, I am afraid to light the smoker. Plants under stress conditions. Tulip trees, Bradford pears, forsythia, some crab apples blooming early.
Currant bush, cat willow started blooming a couple of days ago. Redbuds started yesterday. Starting to see a few dandelions here and there. I heard reports of henbit, but haven't seen any.
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66061 An arctic blast came through here this past weekend and has stayed. Temperatures have been dropping down to 24-26 degrees overnight. Those nectar/pollen producers that were in bloom because of the unseasonably warm and dry conditions are probably lost. There were peaches, apricots, nectarines, crabapples, currants, plums, and cat willow. The dandelions and henbit were starting but they will overcome. The good news is that some areas received a wee bit of snow. I was starting to see some color on some of the redbuds. Hopefully the buds were tight enough to withstand this cold snap.
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Hope that snow was enough to lessen the fire danger.
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66061 Yesterday my neighbor told me to send the girls over. Her pear is starting to bloom and the peach blossoms are showing color. The peach will probably start blooming this weekend. The bees' behavior looks like they are working something out there. Bringing in a light yellow pollen.
Henbit is also beginning to fully bloom.
Crocus that was planted last fall is in full bloom.
Currant is in full bloom with a spicy fragrance that fills the air. No bees observed working the currant.
cat Willow in full bloom too. No bees seen on it either.
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The peaches and apples were in full bloom last week, then the temp. went to the lower 20's :sad: Don't look good for the Orchards. Went to see our daughter yesterday in Polk county, and there was 100's of acres of Henbit and Deadnettle in full bloom,. The bees are working the cat willow, the creek willows and river Maples, and the Dandelions are coming on strong :yes:. 80's temp. here today, plowed the garden, two corn fields and field for Buckwheat' Hey G3, i'm 6 out of 7 for calves on the ground so far :yes:. Jack
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The peaches and apples were in full bloom last week, then the temp. went to the lower 20's :sad: Don't look good for the Orchards. Went to see our daughter yesterday in Polk county, and there was 100's of acres of Henbit and Deadnettle in full bloom,. The bees are working the cat willow, the creek willows and river Maples, and the Dandelions are coming on strong :yes:. 80's temp. here today, plowed the garden, two corn fields and field for Buckwheat' Hey G3, i'm 6 out of 7 for calves on the ground so far :yes:. Jack
Jack, you have been one busy guy!
Henbit is in full bloom and starting to see dandelions pop up. Redbud's are starting to show some color. The neighbor's peach and pear are starting to open. My bees have been reported as working them hard.
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66061: Fruit bearing apples 3/30. Full bloom on 4/2.
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Things are happening :yes: Red bud, Dogwood, wild plum, dandelions,Gooseberry, crimson clover, Turnip and Rape blooming. On a sad note , a neighbor came over and said his buddy died that had three hives on his place that he wanted me to have. Said i had helped him when he had problems or questions with his bees. He was a good man and friend, But, cigarette's took him. :sad: Gods speed Buddy. Jack
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Locust is in bloom here. Hope it's a good flow this year. Blackberries bloomed Easter afternoon. Had Easter squall and blackberry winter in the same day!
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66061: Yellow sweet clover, catmint, salvia
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Blueberries in bloom, thank goodness for bumble bees because I never see a honeybee working them. Nectarine just finished blooming and the wild mustard starting up too. Dogwoods, crabapples, redbuds and hoping we get a good bloom on the black locust.
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Little Leaf Linden just starting to bloom. Sweetspire blooming. Clovers still continuing to bloom.
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66061: Golden Rain Tree began blooming 3-4 days ago. Clovers still blooming.
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66061: Vitex just beginning to bloom. Black eyed Susans, Purple coneflowers, and Culver's Root began blooming 4-5 days ago.
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Dutch and white sweet clover, milkweed, Russian sage and chicory in bloom here. Jack
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Forgot the chicory. It has been blooming for a couple of days.
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Watched my bees working the vitex at 7am this morning as I was leaving for work. 8pm tonight, still working. Standing next to the tree you can hear the buzz. They are working the Culver's Root tonight along with some native bumble bees.
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Moon flowers. Jack
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66061 We are about to wrap the nectar flow up here. There are perennials, herbs and gardens still to gather nectar, but the major flow is over. Vitex is still being worked from sun up to sun down by honey bees. I am seeing a couple of new species of native bees on the vitex this year.
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66061: Ironweed
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Vitex,Russian sage,Sumac,Moon flowers, Dutch clover. I rarely ever see honey bees on our iron weed? Jack
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I observed this in Golden, Co. on July 30th. I believe this is Motherwort. Even though the picture doesn't reflect it, the plants were covered with honey bees, native bees and so forth.
(https://s1.postimg.cc/5843zyu9n/20170730_082540_Burst01_resized.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5843zyu9n/)
(https://s1.postimg.cc/4wmnn7dtn/20170730_082558_Burst01_resized.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4wmnn7dtn/)
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66061: Goldenrod started to bloom a couple of days ago.
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66061: Sweet Autumn Clematis
Rather invasive as it blankets over other vegetation. In some areas that it has taken over, it makes a beautiful display.
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66061: Autumn Joy Sedum. My bees are working it hard.
(https://s26.postimg.cc/49o6y8fmt/20170901_175314_resized.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/49o6y8fmt/)
I took this picture on 9/1.
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66061: Found this blooming in between the driveway and the street. Blue sky or Azure aster.
(https://s26.postimg.cc/vg71sv485/20170903_193120_resized.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/vg71sv485/)
I am sure it has been mowed, driven over, and had the recycling bin parked on top of it.
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Vitex, Moon Flowers, Goldenrod, and some aster starting. Jack
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Anise Hyssop still going, Sedum, Joe Pye Weed and my Flat Head Goldenrod. Did not pinch back my Mums this summer, so they should bloom soon.
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66061: New England asters are starting to open. They are covered in buds.
For now, the sedums are being worked hard by the bees.
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66061: 2/15 Honey bees bringing in silver maple pollen. First day, first bloom. Tonight temps drop back down to freezing and stay there.
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66061: Witchhazel blooming 2/19/18
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okay, i just have to say nothing blooming here........just ice storms, snow and subzero temps.......gotta probably shovel again tomorrow........ :D
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okay, i just have to say nothing blooming here........just ice storms, snow and subzero temps.......gotta probably shovel again tomorrow........ :D
:-\\ :-\\ Well, it was short lived. We had freezing rain/sleet move in, schools closed, etc. More of the same today. I was able to clip a branch of the Witch hazel in bloom to take to a bee club meeting and share before it froze into an ice cube.
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66061: 3/7 cat willow opening! Excellent source of early nectar.
Auto correct strikes again. Salix caprea
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Well, I did have crocuses up and blooming. They are now covered under 10" of snow! :\'(
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66061: Crocus blooming for about 1 week.
Tulip poplar near work starting to bloom. It's in a nice sheltered, southern exposure.
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66061: native Currant Bush starting to bloom on 3/25
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River Maples, weeping willows, cat willows, creek willows, Bradford pears , Henbit, dead nettle, and Dandelions starting. Having lots of rain, water standing in the fields and ponds running over. Should make for a good spring bloom, AND Moral Mushroom hunting!!!
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Only crocuses....Daffodils are working their way up.
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Should make for a good spring bloom, AND Moral Mushroom hunting!!!
I was thinking about mushrooms yesterday!!! We just need a little warmth now. :D
Jack, I think you are a few weeks ahead of us. No sign of henbit, dandelions, bradfords etc. Willows and daffodils are in full bloom.
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All our early spring flowers are in full bloom. Dandelion, redbud, fruit trees, flowering quince, forsythia. It's great! :)
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Good to know. We are a week or two behind you. We have freezing temps and snow forecast for Easter Sunday. Bleh!
I understand that near Topeka, KS the henbit is blooming so dandelions aren't far away.
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Dandelions blooming down the street at an apartment complex! Won't be long until everyone's yard is a sea of dandelions.
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We've got brown-eyed susans starting to pop up.
I've also seen a few bluebonnets and Indian blanket. I know they are already in bloom further north, between here and Austin. I wish folk had planted more of them down here. The biggest bloom right now are yellow daisies.
The henbit is starting to burn out, I think, but that's leaving room for our horsemint to grow. No blooms on the horsemint yet.
The crepe myrtle leafed out in about 20 minutes sometime last week, but no blossoms yet. They went from dead sticks to lush green in the blink of an eye.
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66061: Wow! Last week's weather was below freezing. It got down to 18 degrees. 4/12 and 4/13 is was 82 degrees. That brought on the blooms.
Redbud, ornamental cherries, peaches, Bradford pears (not a nectar/pollen source), dandelions, henbit, dead nettle, tulip trees, forsythia (no value to honey bees), crabapples, and native currants. There is a tree blooming all over town and for the life of me, I can't remember what it is.
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Daffodils are up, Forsythia are popping and the maples have started. Of course, snow tomorrow......will this nasty weather ever end?
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There is a tree blooming all over town and for the life of me, I can't remember what it is.
After asking a few sources, I understand that they are various forms of ornamental pears.
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I’ve read rants about ornamental pears because they are invasive. I’ve got one in my backyard and the bees love it!
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I’ve read rants about ornamental pears because they are invasive. I’ve got one in my backyard and the bees love it!
There are many varieties of ornamental pear. Bradford Pears are highly discouraged here as they form weak limb angles and break easily in our windy conditions. The norm is for a tree to reach maturity and a good wind comes along and the tree is torn in two and then needs to be cut down. It was originally thought the Bradford would be sterile, but so many ornamental pears have been planted that they are finding some with fruit on them. Now the seeds are dispersing and sprouting where they land which is along low maintenance areas in cities, roadways, and wooded areas. They have become invasive in this area. Beautiful, but invasive.
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First time in two years that our Magnolia blooms survived.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/ec04Tc/E88074_FB_C784_4976_BB73_E2748_CA75_B71.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ec04Tc)
Lemon Lace Elderberry. I have this planted in front of Summer Sweet which will bloom a little later. Both great bee shrubs
(https://thumb.ibb.co/cnfhEH/47_FC1833_7832_4_DE9_A9_C0_3_E72404_DA6_A1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cnfhEH)
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4/27 Wild strawberries spotted in Douglas County, KS
Crabapples coming on strong for weeks.
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66061: apples
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Crabapples and dandelions!
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Lilacs, sour cherries, dogwood, kerria, hydrangeas. Still seeing bees working henbit and dandelions.
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Blackberries!!!!!
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The neighbor's yard as of 5/5/18.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/bWY7G7/20180505_180856_resized_1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bWY7G7)
:laugh: :laugh:
Only a beekeepers would love this!
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I would get on them to get them cut so they can grow and bloom again.
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(https://thumb.ibb.co/jmcJ67/Dandelions.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jmcJ67)
Found this on Facebook today.
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Redbud,Wild plum,Black Locust,Dandelions, The Dutch clover is just starting. With the weird weather i figure we are 2 weeks behind on our Spring bloom???
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Black Locust, White Dutch Clover, yellowsweet clover, and Amsonia.
Jack, last year I wrote that I saw Yellow Sweet Clover on May 9, 2017. I spotted some yellow sweet clover a couple of days ago. So that is about 1 week behind from last year.
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No Sweet clover here? I went up north today and worked 18 hives, i don't know what they are working up there (St. Clair and Hickory county's ) but they are packed with nectar and most of it capped??? Most of my hives are two deeps and two med. supers right now and what i thought was strange is the top deeps were filled with nectar and the bottom med. super filled and mostly capped and the top med. super 3/4 filled with nectar? The bottom deeps were being used as brood nest, i rarely have them filling the top deep with honey??? Of course i didn't have enough empty supers with me so i'll make another trip before they decide to swarm! Jack
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Invasive Garlic Mustard, grrrrrrr. Another plant to irradicate!
Azaleas, ajuga, redbuds. Hoping the black locust give a good bloom this year.
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https://youtu.be/fS7qSqIRcFE
Wow, banner year for black locust trees!
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That's wonderful, Les!
66061: Summersweet, Motherwort.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/bH69cd/Motherwort5_2018.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bH69cd)
This is a picture of a Motherwort I planted last fall. It will be to be very large with many blooms.
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Is this a plant that the bees take to? Did you start it from seed? I have heard the name but not sure if I have seen it any nurseries. We do have a wonderful place that caters to native plants, I have been there twice this year and spent a small fortune but I will have to go back and see if they have this plant.
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I have never seen Motherwort anywhere except at another beekeeper's house nearby (where is gets 6 ft tall) and at this website https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/?s=Motherwort&post_type=product&categories=1&attributes=1&tags=1&sku=1&ixwps=1 (https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/?s=Motherwort&post_type=product&categories=1&attributes=1&tags=1&sku=1&ixwps=1). He offered me some seed, but I know that those kinds of offers are easily forgotten. I ordered 3 plants from Strictly Medicinal last summer. They came well packed and healthy in the fall when planting time was more appropriate. My husband mowed one this spring and it is rebounding. The honey bees really work Motherwort at the other beekeeper's house and they bloom for a long time.
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Little Leaf Linden just popped yesterday and St. John's Wort opened today. 66061
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Clinton Lake, KS area: Blackeyed Susan, Daisy Fleabane, Showy Milkweed, Sumac, Elderberry, Golden Rain Tree, yellow sweet clover, Dutch White clover.
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66061: mimosas in bloom. Finally saw my bees working vitex, golden rain tree, and little leaf linden today. We got a little rain Monday night. It made a world of difference.
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66061: The Little Leaf Lindens are through blooming. Golden Rain Tree still going strong as well as Vitex. Last night near dusk everything pollinator out there was working the vitex. Purple coneflowers, Culvers Root, Coriopsis, and Rudbeckia began blooming several days ago.
It's so dry here that the mulberry fruit isn't juicy. I did pick some nice raspberries from my bushes last night. I don't water the raspberries.
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B13, we finally got some rain last Tuesday, one and a half inches and temps in the 80's F. The Russian sage, Vitex, Moon flowers,Dutch clover, and the Sumac should be in bloom now? haven't checked it lately? I'm going too have too star extracting soon, i'm running out of supers :o The last four times i checked my hives (50+ and not ONE sting) they were packing in the nectar and the strange thing is, they are packing the brood box with nectar before filling the supers on my strong hives, so i started stealing brood and honey too start Nuc's and replace the frames with foundation frames to deter swarming . (Hopefully) This practice also breaks up the Varroa cycle some what! The Honey flow started early this year and is about over hear (the main honey flow). The last three weeks of above 90F temps and no rain put the hurt on things around here. Jack
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I'm going too have too star extracting soon, i'm running out of supers :o The last four times i checked my hives (50+ and not ONE sting) they were packing in the nectar and the strange thing is, they are packing the brood box with nectar before filling the supers on my strong hives,
I am seeing some of that too. I am not too sure what it means.
I put my last super with drawn comb on this week. One super I moved from one hive to another because the first hive was working slower than the 2nd. I think the flow is going to be over soon. One thing for sure, we have had such a strange year that I don't know if anyone is going to be able to get varietal honey.
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Ahhh the mikweed is blooming. Smells so sweet when I walk through it searching for Monarch eggs. White Queen Salvia the bees loves, yarrow, coneflowers starting to open, false lupine just finishing up along with columbine. Liatris starting to open and blanket flower coming on strong. We have been very dry the last couple of weeks and the lawn was like a fiield of straw. Had nice rain last night and this morning everything has greened up and the air feels so clean! Nice way to start the day!
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66061: Blue Vine in bloom
(https://thumb.ibb.co/ee3Mc8/Bluevinebloom.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ee3Mc8)
This picture shows the vine wrapped around a variegated bush.
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66061: I received a text yesterday that a fellow beekeeper's Bee Bee Tree is blooming.
Blue Vine is still blooming strong.
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66061: on 7/22 I went to see a fellow beekeeper's Bee Bee Tree or Korean evodia. He said it was slow to start blooming. Here are some pictures.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/n5gGyd/Cecilsbeebeetree1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n5gGyd)
(https://thumb.ibb.co/mQL9Jd/Cecilsbeebeetree3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mQL9Jd)
It was loaded with dozens of species of pollinators. The bumble bees weren't working it, but the small native bees were, in addition to butterflies, wasps, etc. This specimen was 25 years old.
I did some research on why it is a magnet to pollinators. First thing to note is it is the only tree in bloom in this area. www.davesgarden.com says that the sugar content of the nectar is between 44%-64%. That's impressive.
Bee Bee Tree can be propagated by woody cuttings and seed. Allow the seed to ripen on the tree and plant in the fall. I also noticed that there were sucker shoots or the seed had fallen and sprouted. There were numerous small trees at the base.
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My moon flowers are in cloom and the bees are all over them, plush the Moth Humming bird. They open in the late evening 8:00pm and stay open until the sun starts getting bright and HOT!!! I have Vitex planted on my pond banks and they are still in bloom. I have noticed that the Japanese beetles are all over the Vitex leaves but, do not eat any of it, they only use it for breeding, a lovers lane i guess??? But the bees still work it. Jack
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Bees have been working mints,(spearmint, lemon balm, catnip etc...) also anise hyssop but they are winding down. Devil's Walkingstick about to explode in blooms. :)
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I noticed the golden rod starting to bloom about 2 weeks ago when I was out picking elderberries. That was about 8/12.
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I received a text from a fellow beekeeper asking me if I could identify a plant her bees were gathering pollen from. She sent pics. I hope to be able to post them. She figured it out. It was Giant Ragweed. I have never know honey bees to work ragweed as it is wind pollinated and not that attractive to pollinators. A recent series of rains has might have had a positive effect on the blooms. This website says that honey bees will collect pollen from Giant Ragweed. https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/giant_ragweed.htm (https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/giant_ragweed.htm)
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(https://thumb.ibb.co/mqwLTU/IMG_2237_resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mqwLTU)
This is a photo of Giant Ragweed from a fellow beekeeper.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/fS3na9/IMG_2229_resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fS3na9)
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Wish i knew how to send photos??? I would post a picture of my Buckwheat field in bloom. The bees are app over it in the mournings up too around 11:00 am then it quit's producing nectar . My moon flowers are going crazy in the evening and the bees love them !!! B13, didn't i send you some moon flower seed a couple of years ago??? Jack
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Wish i knew how to send photos??? I would post a picture of my Buckwheat field in bloom. The bees are app over it in the mournings up too around 11:00 am then it quit's producing nectar . My moon flowers are going crazy in the evening and the bees love them !!! B13, didn't i send you some moon flower seed a couple of years ago??? Jack
I would like to see pictures of your buckwheat in bloom. riverbee could probably walk you through posting pictures on the forum. I can if you have a cell phone that takes pictures. The old flip phones that take pictures don't work very well. Even an inexpensive android takes pretty darn good pictures and makes it easy to work with. A digital camera with a memory chip works too.
Jack, yes you did send me moon flower seeds. This has been a tough year for them. The weather has been so hot and dry. It seems like they get a nice bud that's about to open and it falls off or wilts. My butternut squash has done better than the moon flower!
Jack, I sent you a PM.
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Ok, What is this flowering plant? In roadside ditch 8/26 and covered with bees.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/iqxpOU/DSC_0044.jpg) (https://ibb.co/iqxpOU)
(https://thumb.ibb.co/jCjEq9/DSC_0046.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jCjEq9)
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Caryopteris has been blooming for several days.
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I just discovered a nice patch of Tickseed Sunflower blooming 6/10ths of a mile away. The scent is wonderful.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/kpSKYU/20180830_155206_Film3_resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kpSKYU)
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Labor Day Weekend: Sweet autumn Clematis
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66061: The White Snakeroot is plentiful this year. Moonflowers are blooming now that we had some rain. Aromatic Aster has been blooming for about a week.
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66061: While walking the dog this afternoon I spotted one of my bees on Heath Aster. I believe she was gathering nectar.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/ff2Gvf/20181020-162025-Film3-1-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ff2Gvf)
There are still some Maximillian sunflowers, some goldenrod, and the asters. Becomes of all the sudden rain I am seeing some red clover, dandelions, and other "weeds" that didn't bloom during the drought.
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Up until last night the aster, Buckwheat, and Moon flowers was in bloom BUT, Jack Frost showed UP in the mid 20'sF??? Supposed to be in the 70's F next weekend? In Missouri we never know what the weather is until you walk outside??? Jack
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No, nothing beginning to bloom here. :laugh:
It won't be long before the Silver Maples begin blooming. The buds are really swelling. Last year the Silver Maple buds opened on 2/15 and Witch Hazel on 2/19.
Here is a picture of my P. Willow buds.
(https://i.ibb.co/7VbY60c/20190105-133935-Film3-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7VbY60c)
This is a picture of native Currant buds.
(https://i.ibb.co/xHxYcfc/20190105-135431-Film3-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xHxYcfc)
This is a picture of a couple of colonies taking orientation and cleansing flights today.
(https://i.ibb.co/SNnrk0b/20190105-135700-Film3-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SNnrk0b)
And the heated bird bath.
(https://i.ibb.co/jwWX9cc/20190105-135949-Film3-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jwWX9cc)
P. Willow again.
(https://i.ibb.co/jMzQwzY/20190105-133733-Film3-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jMzQwzY)
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Witch Hazel is blooming along our creek and bees are bringing in pale yellow pollen. Wow! :)
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Anything blooming down south? We haven't had anything yet!!! Elms, Silver Maples, Witch hazel should pop any day down. In a typical year, they would already be done blooming.
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Yellow bells, crocus, red maple, dead nettle, henbit, and a few unknowns here in Piedmont N.C.
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66061: Willow Salix caprea buds are starting to show color. No others signs of blooms yet.
I think I actually saw the bees bringing in resin yesterday. Corbicula contained a small, dark substance. I observed this inside on top of the frames.
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Willows, Maples, and peach trees have buds on them ! The temp today 48F and the temps for the next 5 days in the 50's and low 60F's . I'm glad my bees were not flying the last three days !!! With our 60F MPH and 70 MPH winds my bees would be in other States :o I don't remember having as much rain, wind, and MUD in Feb. and March like we are having this year??? In my area all the Creeks and Rivers have been and Are out of their banks??? Jack
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66061:
(https://i.ibb.co/MMT9gVV/Witchhazel-3-14-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/MMT9gVV)
(https://i.ibb.co/0r2W3NQ/cat-will-buds-3-14-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0r2W3NQ)
These pictures were taken on 3/14/19. The willow is showing color and the witchhazel is starting to bloom. Silver Maples are also blooming. Spring has finally started here!
Like Jack, I have never seen mud like this in my life! Walking in the backyard resembles walking through a feed lot after a heavy rain.
The grass is starting to green up, what is left of it. This year I am throwing White Dutch Clover down in the back yard to fill in the grass that died from last summer's drought.
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3/16/19 I am seeing light grey pollen (Elms) being brought in. Looks good!!
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66061: Henbit is starting to bloom in North Lawrence, KS.
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In North Lawrence, KS, Apricot blooms are 1-2 days away from blooming. Plums are about 3-4 days away from blooming. Both are showing color.
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Apricot opened today 4/3. I understand it was covered in bees. (My bees :bee: )
(https://i.ibb.co/02KTzCp/apricot-bloom-4-3-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/02KTzCp)
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Hi Folks, crocuses are blooming and Forsythia will pop as soon as we get a warm day. They stopped taking my pollen, so they are getting it from somewhere.
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Les, good to hear from you! Our Forsythia are just beginning to bloom too, and we are a lot farther south.
I took this picture yesterday 4/5/19.
(https://i.ibb.co/VTn1zDX/Salix-4-5-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VTn1zDX)
This is my Salix caprea, a member of the willow family.
The bloom is about 12 days behind last year.
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66061: We've had dandelions for a couple of days. Henbit for about 1 1/2 weeks. Plum trees should be blooming today or very soon.
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Wild plum and redbud are glorious this year! :)
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Ornamental cherries, peaches, plums on 4/8/19.
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Currant bush blooming 4/9/19.
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Magnolia blooming, just waiting for the rain to knock the blossoms off (it happens every year).
(https://i.ibb.co/5W4HB98/40-DEF77-B-FA5-B-4614-82-FC-A0649-FC6-A2-EE.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5W4HB98)
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Dogwood, Redbud, Wild Plum, Apples, Peaches,Dandelion,Sweet Williams, Lilac,. Went Mushroom hunting, didn't find any, but got 5 ticks :sad:. Jack
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Dogwood, Redbud, Wild Plum, Apples, Peaches,Dandelion,Sweet Williams, Lilac,. Went Mushroom hunting, didn't find any, but got 5 ticks :sad:. Jack
:o
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Dogwoods started blooming a couple of days ago. Redbuds have been beautiful, but they are starting to leaf out. Lilacs have been blooming for about 1 week. Some crabapples are still blooming. The wild mustard is starting to bloom too.
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Drove to Fayetteville today for a doc appt. About 100 miles, hop clover, black locust and many others having a glorious spring. Hope it translates into honey.
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The black locust started blooming last Saturday, 5/4.
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Same here on the Black Locust, been seeing a lot of Dutch Clover in the pastures . Doubt anything blooming in my area that the bees will get any good out of? The rain keeps the nectar washed out, also the nuc's i have started with queen cells will probably be without a queen because of all the rain the new queens will not be able to take their maiden flights??? They may also run out of stores, doesn't look like a good bee year here in S W Mo. Jack
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Lantana is blooming in South Texas, Zone 10
(https://i.ibb.co/6Fpd0JB/2019-05-06-Lantana-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6Fpd0JB)
(https://i.ibb.co/CMtLbZ8/2019-05-06-Lantana-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CMtLbZ8)
And so are the plumbago and ligustrum:
(https://i.ibb.co/RvpzHXC/2019-05-06-Ligustrum-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RvpzHXC)
(https://i.ibb.co/3h1nkjw/2019-05-06-Plumbago-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3h1nkjw)
(https://i.ibb.co/dgR0jy0/2019-05-06-Plumbago-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dgR0jy0)
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Along the highways of central and south Texas, the bluebonnets have petered out, but we've got Horsemint, Indian Blanket, Mexican Hat, and Texas Thistle:
Horsemint:
(https://i.ibb.co/kyMRzFz/2019-05-11-Horsemint-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kyMRzFz)
(https://i.ibb.co/tc7KfcT/2019-05-11-Horsemint-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tc7KfcT)
Indian Blanket
(https://i.ibb.co/yWcyc19/2019-05-11-Indian-Blanket-4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yWcyc19)
(https://i.ibb.co/m9BFK6P/2019-05-11-Indian-Blanket-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m9BFK6P)
(https://i.ibb.co/xgSdt8X/2019-05-11-Indian-Blanket-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xgSdt8X)
Texas Thistle:
(https://i.ibb.co/TPVh5Tk/2019-05-11-Texas-Thistle-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TPVh5Tk)
(https://i.ibb.co/DCgPHMw/2019-05-11-Texas-Thistle-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DCgPHMw)
Mexican Hat:
(https://i.ibb.co/tYST8wG/2019-05-11-Mexican-Hat-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tYST8wG)
(https://i.ibb.co/nrkBQc5/2019-05-11-Mexican-Hat-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nrkBQc5)
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WM,
Looks like a honey bee's wonderland! :)
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Texas Thistle is apparently a favorite got bumblebees.
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Saw my first yellow sweet clover bloom last weekend and white dutch clover blooms yesterday on 5/13.
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The Black Locust has been blooming all this past week. I don't think any bees got to work it, we have had nothing but heavy down pours for two weeks. The forecast for the next week calls for the same. :sad:
The Yellow Sweet Clover is in full bloom. Red clover is blooming too. White Clover has been blooming for about a week.
About 1/2 mile from me, is acres of open land. There was a mall that occupied that land and it was torn down. The land is empty for now. It is solid yellow sweet clover and red clover. It's not doing my bees much good because it won't quit raining long enough for them to work the clover!
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My bees also are in need of a couple weeks sunshine-minimum. :)
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(https://i.ibb.co/ccXcfx3/honey-bee-on-clover-North-Lawrence.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ccXcfx3)
This is one of my bees collecting pollen from White Dutch Clover today.
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Yesterday I found 3 Tulip Poplar trees blooming in my neighbor. Their not very old trees and they are just starting to open up.
(https://i.ibb.co/GpLCKM1/Tulip-Poplar-5-27.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GpLCKM1)
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I found some more Tulip Poplars today. Driving down the street I could smell a Privet Hedge in bloom. The row of Privets went down the length of an entire city block and wrapped around both ends of the block. This is about 1/4 mile from my house. I am sure these are my bees working the hedge row.
(https://i.ibb.co/BLFV3Ky/privet-5-29.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BLFV3Ky)
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Sweetspire in full bloom on 5.30.
These are my bees. I would recognize them anywhere. :laugh:
(https://i.ibb.co/WfMSjdV/sweetspire-2-5-30.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WfMSjdV)
(https://i.ibb.co/qJsT4hb/sweetspire-5-30.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qJsT4hb)
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I spotted a Little Leaf Linden blooming about 1 mile away. The Linden's closer to home still have tight buds.
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I took this picture tonight while walking the dog. The Catalpa's have been stunning and so fragrant this year.
(https://i.ibb.co/7v4tWjj/Catalpa-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7v4tWjj)
If you look close in the background you can see a heron.
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The Lindens have been blooming for about a week now. Golden Rain Tree started several days ago. I have seen white sweet clover and chicory blooming. Elderberries and yellow sweet clover has been blooming for some time now. Last year the elderberries were blooming on Memorial day. They are a week or so later this year and the buds are holding on a long time.
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My Vitex is just starting to bloom today. Elderberries are still blooming as well as the Golden Rain Tree.
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Here are some pictures of what's blooming in my yard the last week of June 2019. Some are not the best pictures, but it's difficult to see what you are shooting when the sun is shining.
Coneflowers in all their glory.
(https://i.ibb.co/RbRCN02/Front-flowers-6-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RbRCN02)
Success, after 4 years of trial and error (mostly error). I have a honey bee working the lavender! Lavender isn't for sissies. :D
(https://i.ibb.co/G763Xf1/lavender-6-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/G763Xf1)
The Vitex started to bloom this week.
(https://i.ibb.co/1rVgShC/vitex-6-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1rVgShC)
Culver's Root attracts numerous pollinators.
(https://i.ibb.co/hcGLyLm/Culverroot-6-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hcGLyLm)
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My bee bee tree bloomed this week and it sounds like a swarm in the air. My bee balm opened it's first bloom yesterday.
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66061: Button Bush and Wild Petunia (Ruella)
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66061: After some rain this week, my Cup Plants were attracting a crowd. This is my Cup Plant forest. This started out as one plant.
(https://i.ibb.co/Btx42Wg/Cup-Plant-Forest.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Btx42Wg)
(https://i.ibb.co/GxM0gkn/Cup-Plant-Honey-bee.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GxM0gkn)
(https://i.ibb.co/t4KrMfd/Cup-Plant-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/t4KrMfd)
The Inula has been blooming for a couple of week too. Honey bees are not attracted to Inula, but other bee species are and Goldfinch will come and dine on the seeds as they mature. I keep binoculars close to watch the Goldfinch.
This is a bumble bee taking a nap on an Inula bloom.
(https://i.ibb.co/CMCc2fz/Inula-sleeping-bee.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CMCc2fz)
Inula: Great for the back of a native flower bed.
(https://i.ibb.co/T4DSHFF/Inula-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/T4DSHFF)
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66061: My fall blooming sedums are starting to show color. Also blooming is Caryopteris, Blue pitcher sage, goldenrod, and Maximilian Sunflowers. The Sunflowers have been blooming for about a week now.
(https://i.ibb.co/qYw3cCh/Sedum-9-2-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qYw3cCh)
upload images (https://imgbb.com/)
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The Asters are starting to bloom here. They are the last nectar source available to honey bees. Aromatic Asters are in full bloom. Heath Asters just started blooming. New England Asters are just started to show color.
This is a Heath Aster in a field that was mowed. They are easy to spot along roadsides.
(https://i.ibb.co/WDDHZVt/Heath-Aster-9-11-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WDDHZVt)
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66061: Sun shining, no breeze, and 70 degrees. This Heath Aster in my yard was rocking back and forth from all the different species taking advantage of the nectar. This is one of the last nectar sources in this area.
(https://i.ibb.co/c20SHh4/Heath-Aster-Bee-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/c20SHh4)
(https://i.ibb.co/dpjwyXv/Heath-Aster-Bee-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dpjwyXv)
A pretty yellow butterfly was working the lavender that was re blooming.
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Asters and golenrods in bloom everywhere. Also snakeroot and Joe pye weed. :)
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66061: On 10/19 we received a little bit of rain. On 10/20, I went into the back yard and was amazed at what I saw. Smart weed aka Knot weed had taken over my yard, but I didn't realize it. The yard had been mowed all summer, so the short smart weed was in bloom. Large patches of pink blooms. My bees were all over it and I had to watch where I stepped! There were also small blue butterflies and tiny native bees slurping up the nectar. I have never seen honey bees work Smart weed, until this happened. The Asters are still blooming, but I don't think they were producing nectar. So, if nothing else is out there, honey bees will work smart weed.
(https://i.ibb.co/HBYBGxv/Patch-of-smartweed-10-20.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HBYBGxv)
(https://i.ibb.co/RT510Gw/Smartweed-10-20.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RT510Gw)
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Found this Crabapple in bloom when I left work today. It's 38 degrees and that's the high for the day. Freezing rain and snow moving in tonight. That's about a month earlier than normal. Very strange weather year.
(https://i.ibb.co/x6M3xry/Comanche-Crabapple-10-29-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x6M3xry)
(https://i.ibb.co/S3TyWF8/Comanche-Crabapple-2-10-29-19.jpg) (https://ibb.co/S3TyWF8)
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66061: Silver Maples started blooming today. Deep freeze expected later this week.
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Yeah I saw the same thing.. apple trees blooming.. AND... Today it is 28 degrees.. up from 24 last night... which means all those blooms are now dead.. I do truly HATE IT when this happens... the bees lose a lot of blooms and are now relegated to wait on the dandelions blooming.
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Yeah I saw the same thing.. apple trees blooming.. AND... Today it is 28 degrees.. up from 24 last night... which means all those blooms are now dead.. I do truly HATE IT when this happens... the bees lose a lot of blooms and are now relegated to wait on the dandelions blooming.
It won't be a long wait on the dandelions. Our dandelions are open for business and have been for a week or so. Our Redbuds were a full bloom yesterday too.
We dipped down to 26 last night. It was very windy yesterday afternoon as the cold front moved in. I watched my bees try to fly and work some crabapples that were drop dead gorgeous. A few managed but most of them probably were blown to the Oklahoma border. :D
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At the house in Illinois, the yard is covered with yellow blooms.. none here yet.. supposed to drop into the 20's again tonight, and snow is forecast.... sigh...
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Cactus is in bloom in my area:
(https://i.ibb.co/znNxp0D/2020-04-12-Cactus-Flowers-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/znNxp0D)
(https://i.ibb.co/hBcQvrY/2020-04-12-Cactus-Flowers-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hBcQvrY)
(https://i.ibb.co/zmMCY2j/2020-04-12-Cactus-Flowers-4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zmMCY2j)
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Mexican Hat is blooming, too.
(https://i.ibb.co/KwRgwPL/2020-04-11-Mexican-Hat-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KwRgwPL)
How many bees can you count in this picture? I found five, others found 7:
(https://i.ibb.co/jR5h1VZ/2020-04-11-Mexican-Hat-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jR5h1VZ)
(on edit) Oops, I think this is the one with between 5 & 7 bees.
(https://i.ibb.co/khWzH4r/2020-04-11-Mexican-Hat-4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/khWzH4r)
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I saw one. :-[
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LOL! I don't have my glasses so Neil wins!
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Apple trees are in bloom here in WI. first round of dandelions have gone to seed.
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White Dutch Clover has been blooming since 4/27. The rains have helped and my bees were working the clover like crazy today. Yellow sweet clover has been blooming since 5/11. Elderberries started blooming 5/28. Lavender started today, 5/29.
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66061: Little Leaf Lindens and Catalpa trees have started blooming. The bees are still working the White Dutch Clover and Yellow Sweet Clover which is in abundance this year.
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66061: My Oakleaf Hydrangeas have been blooming since 6/6. Yesterday, on 6/11, the bushes were buzzing. My bees looked like ghost bees gathering white pollen and placing it in their corbicula. The pollen clung to their tiny hairs all over their bodies. Besides honey bees I counted 3 other native bee species.
(https://i.ibb.co/ncsSc8b/Bee-on-Oakleaf-Hydrangea-6-11-20.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ncsSc8b)
The bees are still working the White Dutch Clover.
(https://imgbb.com//url)
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66061: A few inches of rain and the bees were working the White Dutch Clover, again!
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66061: Found some Goldenrod today. Unfortunately, the bees don't work the Goldenrod that is plentiful around here. They will work Stiff Goldenrod.
(https://i.ibb.co/nbHmZYP/20200802-142100.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nbHmZYP)
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66061: The New England Asters started to open yesterday, 9/7. The last nectar source of the year in this area.
(https://i.ibb.co/6RZjrfV/20200907-101534-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6RZjrfV)
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Bees not touching the goldenrod here either but started working the humming bird feeders heavily the end of last week.
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Bees not touching the goldenrod here either but started working the humming bird feeders heavily the end of last week.
:laugh:
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Bees in Central IL must be working goldenrod now. I noticed an oder around the hives for the first time today.
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This has been a good year for boneset. It has been blooming for about 2 weeks.
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66061: File this one under never say never. Everyone says that they have never seen honey bees working the common goldenrod that is found in fields, fence rows, and pastures around here. I have found honey bees will work stiff goldenrod, but not the common goldenrod. While checking on some bees in the country I noticed a lot of activity on some of the common goldenrod near the hives. My bees and many other pollinators were all over the goldenrod. Here is proof. The honey bees were collecting pollen.
(https://i.ibb.co/9g55d3P/20200921-131627-1-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9g55d3P)
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I went back and checked mine a couple days ago. I also noticed a few bees working it. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200923/76ce2ab49dae966c7b9607227638f6b9.jpg)
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I gave my bees 1-1 on Tuesday, they took very little of it, the red maple is in full bloom, the red cedar is covered with pollen buds. It has begun here.
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Our wildflower field is about to take off. The blooms are still sparse. Two days ago there was only one blossom. Yesterday there were a couple of dozen. I'm looking forward to watching the field (a little less than an acre) turn colors. The bees are already exploring the few flowers that are out there.
I welcome any attempts at identifying for me what I've got here:
(https://i.ibb.co/QJmGFCW/2021-01-23-Wildflowers-4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QJmGFCW)
(https://i.ibb.co/jG8hp3F/2021-01-23-Wildflowers-6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jG8hp3F)
(https://i.ibb.co/dmXLtVk/2021-01-23-Wildflowers-7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dmXLtVk)
(https://i.ibb.co/TYmsRxv/2021-01-23-Wildflowers-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TYmsRxv)
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Pictures 1,2, and 4 (lavender flowers) look like Cosmos.
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66061: On 2/5/21 the temperatures were in the 40's. My native Ozark Witch Hazel started to bloom. On 2/6 temperatures dropped down into the single digits and has stayed there. We will see if those blooms recover when the temps get above freezing.
(https://i.ibb.co/w4442xt/20210205-170758-HDR-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/w4442xt)
500px instagram (https://500pxdownload.com/)
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3/1/21: Witch hazel that was starting to bloom prior to the big freeze has made it through that cold and the blooms are open now. I saw one of my honey bees at the top of the bush.
Silver Maples are starting to open up and some buds displaying a little bit of color.
Woo Hoo! Spring is here!
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I’ve a couple Hellebores that are blooming and the bees are all over them. Makes me wish I had more LOL
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Saw crocus and henbit bloomed for the first time today.
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I’ve a couple Hellebores that are blooming and the bees are all over them. Makes me wish I had more LOL
My Hellebores didn't bloom this year. It was a strange year in so many ways. It is usually way too cold for the bees to by flying when they are blooming.
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Daffodils are coming up a little premature with short stocks and average sized blooms. Dandelions just starting to bloom. Bees bringing in lots of cedar pollen.
This is when I start to worry about pollen plugging.
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Yellow bells spotted today.
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66061: Elms started blooming on 3/8/21. Lots of grey colored pollen being brought in.
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My plum trees are blooming.
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66061: Henbit and I spotted 2 little dandelions.
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66061: Depending on variety, crabapples can bloom now through April. The bees found one variety blooming yesterday. They also found some hyacinths in bloom.
(https://i.ibb.co/Wvfx3qh/20210328-152259-HDR-1-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Wvfx3qh)
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Peach and pear are finishing up here, redbud is also waning. Holly, interestingly enough, usually blooms in February, is blooming here now. It got some freeze damage but has recovered
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Red buds are just starting to open here. Fruit bearing Pear trees have been blooming for about 4 days. I am seeing red pollen being brought in. It's the henbit, I believe.
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Palmetto is budding here, already full bloom 35 miles south of me.
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66061: Lindens and Catalpa trees started blooming yesterday.
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Mesquite is finished here, ragweed and snow on the prairie due to start. Fortunately most of it is ragweed, makes better honey
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66061: Sweet Autumn Clematis and Goldenrod is starting. Ragweed will bloom soon.
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Our Clematis and goldenrod is blooming.
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Goldenrod in bloom here, not sure how good a flow.
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66061: Boneset and Ragweed
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66061: Asters are beginning to bloom
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Bees were bringing in nectar and pollen today at apiary in another county. I would think, by the color of the pollen, it was Goldenrod. Goldenrod is supposed to smell like dirty gym socks, but I didn't smell anything. I only saw boneset and goldenrod blooming on the trip out there.
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Bees were bringing in nectar and pollen today at apiary in another county. I would think, by the color of the pollen, it was Goldenrod. Goldenrod is supposed to smell like dirty gym socks, but I didn't smell anything. I only saw boneset and goldenrod blooming on the trip out there.
Now I think the pollen might have been ragweed. It's prolific here and one wouldn't notice it was in the area without a closer look. It's blooming like crazy here.
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Bees were bringing in nectar and pollen today at apiary in another county. I would think, by the color of the pollen, it was Goldenrod. Goldenrod is supposed to smell like dirty gym socks, but I didn't smell anything. I only saw boneset and goldenrod blooming on the trip out there.
Now I think the pollen might have been ragweed. It's prolific here and one wouldn't notice it was in the area without a closer look. It's blooming like crazy here.
Same here. :)
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Well, this is just wrong. Dec. 26 and the pussywillow buds are showing color.
(https://i.ibb.co/DzsncFn/20211226-161408-HDR-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DzsncFn)
I contacted a beekeeping friend that lives about an hour away and she sent me a similar picture of her pussywillow.
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66061: The bees have been working the Witchhazel for a couple of days now. I would presume nectar as pollen baskets were empty. I took a quick peak at the landing boards today. Some of the colonies are working Silver Maple for pollen. Not all the colonies got the Silver Maple memo because some are still at the bird feeders collecting dust.
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27350.. Bees working Mahonia today.
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My bees are piling in cedar pollen, and a pollen that is bright yellow is just starting.
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Dead Nettle by the acre today.
A few Crocuses.
Flowering Quince.
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Redbud trees bloomed today.
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Crabapples, redbuds, magnolias, and ornamental cherries. 66061
Henbit still going strong and Dandelions are just about to start. Hard freeze forecasted for tonight.
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We are playing catchup here! Cold spring moved into HOT spring weather. 66061
5/8/22 White Dutch Clover, Alliums
5/10/22 Honeysuckle
5/11/22 Chokecherry, Black Locust
Privet is just starting to bloom.
All of these are about a week behind.
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We finally got some flow going here. The tulip poplars, blackberries/raspberries, and multiflora rose are going strong.
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Tulip poplar and Yellow sweet clover.
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Yellow.. dandelion I am assuming, and something VERY VERY BRILLIANT red. No clue what it is, but wow is it red....
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I see your botany skills rival my own lazy. :D
There is a reason I don’t post in this thread often. I’d have to know what I’m looking at! :-[
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heheheh ;D
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I see your botany skills rival my own lazy. :D
There is a reason I don’t post in this thread often. I’d have to know what I’m looking at! :-[
Guys! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! You also have to recognize that not every blooming plant is favored by honey bees or that certain plants will only be worked if there is nothing else. Just because it blooms doesn't mean a honey bee will even come near it. Remember, honey bees prefer the highest sugar concentration that they can find when it comes to nectar collection. Yellow sweet clover is starting to bloom here. That's 52% sugar concentration! You know when that starts blooming you better have your supers in place! Start by looking to see if honey bees are working a particular species. If they are, do your research and figure out what it is.
The best honey bee book out there, in regards to nectar and pollen sources, is Peter Lindner's Garden Plants for Honey Bees. It's worth the $30-$35 and will help you with identification. Chapters are broken down into months. He rates the attractiveness of the nectar and the pollen to the honey bee. Lindtner includes a picture of the blooms and a written description of the pollen color so you know what you are seeing in the bee's pollen baskets. The calendar aspect of it is very general. There can be quite a difference in bloom period across the country. I highly recommend this book.
OK. I'm done. I will get down off my soap box.
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:greatpost:
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Guys! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! You also have to recognize that not every blooming plant is favored by honey bees or that certain plants will only be worked if there is nothing else. Just because it blooms doesn't mean a honey bee will even come near it. Remember, honey bees prefer the highest sugar concentration that they can find when it comes to nectar collection. Yellow sweet clover is starting to bloom here. That's 52% sugar concentration! You know when that starts blooming you better have your supers in place! Start by looking to see if honey bees are working a particular species. If they are, do your research and figure out what it is.
The best honey bee book out there, in regards to nectar and pollen sources, is Peter Lindner's Garden Plants for Honey Bees. It's worth the $30-$35 and will help you with identification. Chapters are broken down into months. He rates the attractiveness of the nectar and the pollen to the honey bee. Lindtner includes a picture of the blooms and a written description of the pollen color so you know what you are seeing in the bee's pollen baskets. The calendar aspect of it is very general. There can be quite a difference in bloom period across the country. I highly recommend this book.
OK. I'm done. I will get down off my soap box.
As science-y as I am, my botany is embarrassingly bad. :-[ I'll definitely be checking that book out!
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Wait, whats botany? Isnt that a bay somewhere? C:-)
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Wait, whats botany? Isnt that a bay somewhere? C:-)
I don't think there is any hope for you, Lazy.
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66061: Sweetspire, catmint
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(https://i.ibb.co/jT2zWq4/20220602-134444-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jT2zWq4)
I took this picture yesterday. This is the sight of a former shopping mall about 1/2 mile from me. They tore it completely down with the exception of one lonely store. It took a few years but Mother Nature has provided some great nectar and pollen sources with Yellow Sweet Clover, White Dutch Clover, and Red Clover. Garmin has recently bought this property and it sets about a mile from their main campus. I hope it's a few years before they develop the land.
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(https://i.ibb.co/jT2zWq4/20220602-134444-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jT2zWq4)
I took this picture yesterday. This is the sight of a former shopping mall about 1/2 mile from me. They tore it completely down with the exception of one lonely store. It took a few years but Mother Nature has provided some great nectar and pollen sources with Yellow Sweet Clover, White Dutch Clover, and Red Clover. Garmin has recently bought this property and it sets about a mile from their main campus. I hope it's a few years before they develop the land.
That's amazing!!
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That's pretty cool, B13! :)
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Elderberries have been blooming for a couple of days.
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66061: Vitex, Golden Rain Tree, St. John's Wort
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Elderberries have been blooming for a couple of days.
Our elderberries are blooming too. We've also got the magnolias going, but they don't produce a huge flow, as big as their flowers are.
66061: Vitex, Golden Rain Tree, St. John's Wort
I need to get some St. John's Wort. I hear it's great in salves.
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Oh the smell of dirty gym socks! Goldenrod has been blooming since 9/2. A walk past the hives this evening and the stench is powerful!
Heath Asters 9/17.
New England Asters 9/20.
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Goldenrod is going to be the fall honey savior - dirty gym socks are a wonderful smell. Aster is also blooming, both wild yard aster and my smooth blue aster, and frogfruit, and maximillian and cutleaf sunflowers. Ragweed is in real high bloom, and I am sure they are gathering it. Elm is rumored to be in bloom but mine isn't.
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Two hard freezes in a row the last two nights. That's pretty much the end of foraging except for asters and a few stray goldenrods.
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66061 2/13/23 Bees were bringing in Silver Maple pollen. The first in 2023.
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66061 2/13/23 Bees were bringing in Silver Maple pollen. The first in 2023.
I think my maples are blooming too. I haven't been able to get up close and personal with any maple trees lately to double check, but the bees are bringing in what looks like real pollen to me, and not just bird seed dust.
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Red maple in full bloom here.
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Yesterday.. i was considering tying on a lure to see what i could catch. Was 50 degrees!!!! Today, six inches plus of new snow.... NOTHING blooming here yet. Checked the bees, they have sugar on!
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3/28/23 Maple, Elm, dandelions
4/2/23 Apricot, plums
4/3/23 Henbit, redbuds
Playing catch up with records.
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Strong black locust flow this spring and looks like privet is coming on. My colonies are just building up from nucs and not strong enough to take full advantage of it.
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66061: Tulip Poplars are blooming now. Last week was Black Locust.
(https://i.ibb.co/hHP84jS/20230506-193744-HDR-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hHP84jS)
(https://i.ibb.co/4j1pGTm/20230506-193839-HDR-resized.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4j1pGTm)
These pictures are of one of my Black Locust. I planted 5 trees about 7 years ago. This is the second year they have bloomed.
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66061: White Dutch Clover started a couple of days ago. Yipee!
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66061: Yellow Sweet Clover
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66061: Elderberries, Oakleaf Hydrangea, and St. John's Wort.
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66061: Chokecherry is wrapping up, vitex just started, and Golden Rain Tree in full bloom.
Lindens are still blooming, but not for long.
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66061: Bluevine
(https://i.ibb.co/PTvy0HK/Bluevine-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PTvy0HK)
(https://i.ibb.co/q5YNtxh/Bluevine-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/q5YNtxh)
Check out the tattered wings on that forager.
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66061: Goldenrod started blooming around 9/5.
Asters buds are starting to show color.
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Our fall flowers are in full swing, and I think we are getting a little bit of nectar coming in based on how happy the bees seem. :thumbsup:
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Our fall flowers are in full swing, and I think we are getting a little bit of nectar coming in based on how happy the bees seem. :thumbsup:
Observing the front entrances yesterday, the bees were finding nectar somewhere. If the aroma from the hives smell like dirty gym socks, I will know if it's golden rod. We had rain and hail on Sunday, so the goldenrod is probably producing some nectar now.
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66061:
8/15 Sunflower, Bidens
9/6 Goldenrod
9/15 Aster
9/21 Aromatic Aster
9/23 Health Aster
9/30 Blue Pitcher Sage
(https://i.ibb.co/MMqj8dM/Heath-Aster.jpg) (https://ibb.co/MMqj8dM)
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27350. Dandelion blooms.
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2/2/24 66061 Ozark Witch-hazel blooming and bees gathering yellow pollen.
(https://i.ibb.co/yRyyBPs/Bee-on-Witch-hazel.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yRyyBPs)
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Bees are bringing in Maple pollen! I think? :)
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2/6/24 66061: Silver Maple pollen, greenish-grey color
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Bees are bringing in Maple pollen! I think? :)
This is where I'm at today. I see full pollen baskets, but it's hard to tell if it's maple pollen or chicken feed dust. :-\
(https://i.ibb.co/4F5fThQ/Pollen-Pants-344-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4F5fThQ)
(https://i.ibb.co/Jzyrgnm/Pollen-Pants-346-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Jzyrgnm)
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Bees are bringing in Maple pollen! I think? :)
I see full pollen baskets, but it's hard to tell if it's maple pollen or chicken feed dust. :-\
:D Either one is possible.
My bees can be seen at the bird bath too. I always take that as a good sign there are eggs in need of high moisture to hatch.
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Or honey in need of dilution for eating.
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Santa Rosa plum trees blooming.
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Maples are fully open and have been for maybe 2 weeks. Today I was walking the dogs over at WCU and saw honey bees all over some ornamental cherries they planted last year after finishing some new dorms. The tulip magnolias are about to start too.
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I think spring is here. On my drive yesterday, I think I saw a dozen different blooms. From dead nettle to peaches, to Pears and plums. Yellow bells and tulip magnolias, and a few I can't name.
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66061: The week of March 10--16 we have Dandelions, Nettles and Henbit. Goat Willow pollen is fully exposed. Wild plums too!
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66061: 3/20/24 Crabapples and Redbuds
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We had our past two nights were lows in the 20s and 30s, so I was really worried about the blossoms, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. The tulip magnolias took a pretty bad hit, but the cherries and pears seem to have come through pretty well.
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3/31/24 66061: Ajuga aka Bugleweed
4/8/24 66061: mustard
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Ajuga 4.14.24
(https://i.ibb.co/jffwSLT/20240414-183846.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jffwSLT)
image upload (https://imgbb.com/)
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66409: 4/15/24 Here's one I never heard of before. My beekeeping friend lives just south of Topeka, KS. She witnessed her bees all over her blooming Pin Oak. They were collecting pollen. So, even though you won't find Pin Oaks on any nectar or pollen lists, they will work it.
Amur Maple and fruiting Cherries blooming too.
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66061: 4/16/24 Honeysuckle
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Looks like a good Black Locust flow this year. :)
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66061| White Dutch Clover started blooming 4/25
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66061: 6/1 Black Locust, Chokecherry 6/2 Yellow Sweet Clover 6/3 Tulip tree
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(https://i.ibb.co/6WHYBjp/Hybrid-Black-Locust.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6WHYBjp)
This is two hybrid black locust trees I found blooming on city property on 5/7/24. Our native black locust has white, fragrant blooms. These are purple. I was unable to see if there were any pollinators working it.
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Our black locust is going too, along with the black cherries and muliflora rose. The blackberry has just started and holy cow! are my bees ever brining in nectar suddenly. I'm running out of boxes!
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66061: Honey locust, pollen source 5/11/24
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Mesquite bloom finally started here last week, and I caught 2 swarms yesterday I think there is a connection
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5/29/24: Little leaf Lindens
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6/4/24 Golden Rain Tree, Culver's Root
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66061: Sumac
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The basswood has exploded, and the elderberries and chestnuts are also open.
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Our major nectar flow is over 7/1/24. A friend's Korean evodia tree just started blooming. He dug a seedling for me. I've had it for about 3 years now and it's doing well. Still waiting for it's first blooms.
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66061: Chicory is blooming everywhere and thick.
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The sourwood is ON! Some of my hives are up to 7 boxes!
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The sourwood is ON! Some of my hives are up to 7 boxes!
Cool!
Chicory starting blooming about 7/1. All this rain really has made a difference in it.
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7/6/24: Wingstem and some sedums in full sun.
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66061: Yesterday, 7/29/24, I noticed the White Dutch Clover in my neighbor's yard is blooming again! And yes, my bees were working it.
(https://i.ibb.co/GPd87zZ/White-Dutch-Clover-7-29-24.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GPd87zZ)
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66061: The Witch hazel is opened up enough and the bees found it! It's supposed to reach 60 F today! Whoo Hoo!
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I've had what I can only assume is maple pollen coming in for several weeks now, which is really early.