Interesting question, Jen.
I don't know that the correct term is far sighted. I have also heard that there is no dance language for 'right here'! But, commercial pollinators place colonies in the middle of almond orchards or a field of watermelons, etc.
Dr. Dewey Caron writes, in Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping, that in regard to apple production, colonies placed closer to the orchard produce larger yields. The examples he gives is colonies placed .3 km from the orchard will yield 5100 kg of apples, a distance of .9-1.2 km from the orchard will yield 2700 kg apples, and a distance of 1.5-1.9km will produce a yield of 2300 kg of apples. The theory that honey bees are conditioned to travel up to 2 miles for a food source is not totally accurate.
Caron also writes that inexperienced foragers stay closer to the hive. When there are sufficient forage sources nearby, most bees forage 200 to 500 yards. As they age, foragers travel longer distances because they can remember landmarks. So, I would come to the conclusion that as a colony builds up and a large number of bees reach the age to begin foraging, it could be a timing issue. "Thus, the flight range of foragers from a hive varies over the season depending upon flower distribution, attractiveness and rewards, as well as competition..."
Large monoculture fields don't offer any landmarks for the honey bee to guide themselves with. So, they will typical stay in one area in this type of field. Maybe that is why multiple colonies are recommended for some crops? The beekeeper may have to move those colonies every few days as well.
In regards to a vegetable garden, I do know that many blossoms that require insect pollination have a short window of opportunity for this to happen. One example is a watermelon. A honey bee will visit a watermelon blossom, for both nectar and pollen, in the morning from 1-2 hours after sunrise when the flower first opens. Activity peaks at mid morning. The time of observation may not coincide with the honey bees timing!
A small family garden may not offer a enough attractive blossoms for the bee to bother. Honey bees practice flower fidelity and are attracted to large swaths of the same flower species. Time of day, the composition of the soil, soil moisture, weather, competition from other species with a higher sugar content, etc. all play a role in which flowers the honey bee will choose.
In my own yard, I have noticed that if the bees are more apt to work something in the front yard rather than in the back yard, where the hives are location. The obstacle of the house, row of trees, etc. seems to make a difference. But I have seen my bees working henbit, lavender, and mint within a few feet of the hives.
