Bob's Bloom Board
Bob's Bloom
Board
Bee Facts
Bees have five eyes.
A single worker bee makes 1/12 teaspoon of honey in her life.
Bob has been keeping bees for over 50 years. Each CAHBS newsletter
has carried his "Bloom Board", listing flowering plants and crops
that bees were visiting.
Click on the month of interest to find what provides food or nectar for
local bees.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
November
December
January is typically a poor month for food
sources. Bees may find some early blooming dandelions, although
they do not provide a significant food supply.
Early elm bloom is the primary food source. Elms provide some nectar but
primarily supply pollen.
February rains will bring dandelions into full
bloom. Mountain ash finishes blooming in Feb and by March is putting
out leaves. Early rains can force some of the ornamental fruits to flower.
Plums, pears, peaches and apples are not significant food sources in
Austin, but can be in the Hill Country.
During March, the primary
food sources in rural areas include the last of the elm, which provide
some nectar, but primarily provide pollen, the same is true of the last
of the Mountain Ash.
The oaks have begin to produce nectar and pollen, but if surplus is stored,
the honey will look "like black molasses" and taste horrible. BUT, its a
good pollen source and the post oak that bloom in the area will be
crawling with bees.
Black Jack Oak also blooms during this time across Central Texas, and the bees
readily work the yellow tassel.
Oddly enough, the similar looking green tassel bloom of Pecans are not
worked at all.
Looking at some of the ground cover, White Dutch clover is an excellent nectar source
but doesn't grow very well in the Central Texas heat. In small patches where it's
found, bees love it.
Hen's Bit has tiny purple flowers and bees may work it.
The wild plum thickets in Oklahoma will be in full bloom by March.
Blue Bonnets may remain if rains are late and Yapon Holly will start
to bloom which provides some pollen but mostly nectar.
Mesquite starts to bloom and provides nectar for bees. Late Bluebonnet will still be
producing pollen.
In June, Indian Blanket provides large amounts of nectar. Some Yapon remains in
bloom along with clover. Mesquite comes out strong and provides an excellent pollen
source even in drought years.
Prickly Pear provides a good source of white nectar and bright golden pollen. Indian
Blanket continues to produce red pollen.
Cotton is the major nectar source during the late summer. Additionally, sunflower
provide a good pollen source and sunflower crosses grown for oils require bees for
pollination.
The cotton remains a good source of nectar, and horse mint provides a reasonable
supply of white pollen. The fall bloom begins and snow-on -the-mountain is out.
Broomweed, goldenrod and fall asters start the fall bloom. Those with
allergies also know that elms begin to bloom and provide pollen.
October typically finds Goldenrod in full
bloom which provides a fantastic fall nectar source.
Snow on the Prairie is a prime pollen source and is still produces
some nectar.
Yellow Bloom or Bitterweed is a primary pollen source and will
get worked like crazy. It will give a bitter honey but is good for
overwintering.
Bee Brush is blooming where you can find it.
Fall Aster will just start to bloom.
Most of the farm crops are gone for the year. A few sunflowers will remain,
but most are fading.
Not much is found in bloom and the bees settle in for winter.
On warm days an occasional bee can be found if there are early dandelions. Not
much else is out for them to forage on.
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Last modified 05 July 1998