Julia likes fireweed but it's a bit tricky in a garden. Buttercups aren't a great idea, since they're really tricky to weed and seem to grow everywhere without help.
Otherwise, leaving brassicas such as kale to flower is a great way to feed bees early in the spring.
For more on bee health and the effects of pesticides on bees, visit http://www.cornucopia.org/2014/01/common-crop-pesticides-kill-honeybee-larvae-hive/
Our landscape architecture student volunteers already have some great design ideas that place the bee hives close to the herb gardens, so I think we're well on our way.
Please send your comments if you have more ideas for the new site!
I have no background in apiculture, but with a bit of digging here's what I found. This might be overkill but the Chapter 2-4 of "Honey Plants of North America" (see link below) has a few tables that compare the nectar and pollen availability of various plants. They also compared the sugar and protein quality of different nectar and pollen source. It might make sense to take nectar and pollen availability and quality into consideration.
ReplyDeleteThis is where my knowledge ends. Perhaps someone with entomology background can find out what benefits the bees the most at this time of the year in terms of nutrition.
http://www.kootenaybees.ca/bee_forage.html