- Joined
- Mar 1, 2009
- Messages
- 1,074
- Reaction score
- 183
- Location
- S Warwickshire, uk
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 40
Visited one of apiaries today and in one substantial neighbouring field (~5 acres possibly) they've planted it up with courgettes to supply the catering trade. The plants have about 4-6 leaves at the moment so are a good few weeks from flowering.
I know honeybees can pollinate courgettes (and get covered in pollen doing so) but is it a meaningful nectar source? Will be very useful if so as there's always a dearth between the end of the summer flow and the ivy.
I had a quick google search but am no wiser. I think there's an Eva Crane publication with a comparison of plant nectar sources but I can’t find it online.
I know honeybees can pollinate courgettes (and get covered in pollen doing so) but is it a meaningful nectar source? Will be very useful if so as there's always a dearth between the end of the summer flow and the ivy.
I had a quick google search but am no wiser. I think there's an Eva Crane publication with a comparison of plant nectar sources but I can’t find it online.