What a diifference a week makes

[Perry]

Interesting day today. After the market I went out to my biggest yard and without even guessing it is obvious we are now in a dearth. Just transferring some frames from nucs to deeps brought out the worst in the yard. A few frames of honey and some drops in the back of my truck attracted hundreds of scavengers that were in frenzy mode. I hope the goldenrod settles things down in a few weeks.

[LazyBkpr]

 I noticed some few miscellaneous goldenrod blooms while riding today..  The vast majority of it is not yet blooming, but it has started.

[Marion]

I have the beginnings of goldenrod, too. A popular plant in my yard is a blue thistle bush. Soon will be that plant that looks like bamboo.

[Perry]

Japanese knotweed is that bamboo type plant, the bees love it. Goldenrod is in bloom here but experience had shown me that the bees tend not to work it till much later, almost September.

[Michelle]

do they like Queen Annes Lace?

[Perry]

I've never seen the bees on them.

[Ray4852]

Goldenrod is starting now.  Where did the summer go? 

[riverbee]

a little late to this thread.......

"Where did the summer go? "

well, i know where mine went.......... but this is true ray!

japanese bamboo/knotweed (although very invasive plant) is a great honey/pollen source for the bees late in the season.

michelle, yes, honey bees will visit queen annes lace.

[LazyBkpr]

I agree with Mrs River..  I have seen bees on Queen Ann's Lace as well.. I do not know what they get from it..  it has a bit of a musky scent, unlike the pleasant smell of most flowers, so not sure if they gain much more than some pollen from it?

[brooksbeefarm]

I was looking for a new born calf. last week, and for the first time ever i seen bees on Iron weed?? The goldenrod is on the verge of blooming and it is everywhere, (my bees rarely work it??) also my neighbors woods across the road is full of Beefsteak mint, it has a long purple spike bloom (like Vitex) and the bees love it,the aster is starting to bloom, so Maybe i'll get a fall flow. Jack

[lazy shooter]

My bees are on cotton.  They all seem to be real busy.  It is my opinion that we are in a flow and will be in it for the next month.  Sixty miles away at the ranch my bees are on broom weed, and it makes a horrible honey.  Those bees are just bringing in winter stores.  We never harvest after the broom weed comes to a good bloom.