Which flower next?

[aberreef]

My bees started with Willow, then Blackthorn, Dandelion and finally Hawthorn which is just finishing. I'm looking around at what else is in bloom now and all I really see is Buttercups everywhere soon to be followed by Ox-eyed Daisey (I think).

So, in terms of wild flowers, what will the bees work after the Hawthorn has gone? Should I expect a lull in nectar income?

 

[Poly Hive]

Yes.

June gap.

PH

 

[Tom Bick]

Round my way Blackberry is just starting, Wild Rose is going well and soon to follow Lime Trees with to many to count.

 

[aberreef]

Yes.

June gap.

PH

Something else for me to worry about then. I thought bees were meant to be relaxing

Would I be right in thinking the next good producer will be white clover? My bees worked this really hard last year and brought in a load of nectar which they kindly ate during a period of bad weather

 

[victor meldrew]

Yes.

June gap.

PH

I don't think the June gap really exists anymore?
Around here year on year the main flow starts last week in June/first week in July and has done for as long as I can remember !

John Wilkinson

 

[BKF Admin]

Elderflower just starting to come out around my way.

 

[Lance Hutchings]

Elderflower just coming out now, plenty of buttercup still about and still a fair bit of hawthorn. Also still bringing in pollen from Dandelions

 

[victor meldrew]

Elderflower just coming out now, plenty of buttercup still about and still a fair bit of hawthorn. Also still bringing in pollen from Dandelions

For the umteenth year in a row bees have totally ignored the Hawthorn .
Dandelion has been ignored this year ( dry conditions I should think) !

John Wilkinson

 

[Haughton Honey]

Dandelion was kind to me this year but then tailed off as the warm weather continued.

This is a MASSIVE white clover area but the temperatures need to be ideal to obtain a good crop from it (one in every four years usually).........we'll see.

 

[BILL.HEARD]

Working the Hawthorn very well this year and Holly, the next big flow around here will probably be the Blackberry, things don't look promising as far as white clover this year unless we get a substantial amount or rain in the next month and then a period of warm weather in the upper 70's F.

 

[Skyhook]

I've heard people talk about feeding in the June gap, I think to stop them having to eat the honey they made in May. Presumably this means taking off any supers to stop them storing syrup in there- or is there a clever way of feeding them without them storing it?

 

[circe]

Bees still working the hawthorn which is still abundant (we had some rain recently), the elderflower is just beginning to blossom and the wild privet is not far behind. Masses of wild flowers in the meadow nearby but usually only bumble bees seen on it - bramble just beginning to flower. I reckon around my area by end of june/early July that will be a gap and then the ivy flow usually starts the end of August. The bees also work the palms which produce huge white flowers and they will flower in a couple of weeks. There is a lovely buttery smell coming from the hives currently.....

 

[Jimmy]

Hawthorn and OSR all over here (Vale of Evesham), field beans have had a boost from the rain last week and bees working it well, filling supers at the best rate so far this year.
Bramble + lime + clover still to come for the main flow though the ground is still very dry.

I didn't think elder was attractive to bees?