Is corn a good crop for bees?

[Elle]

Hi.  I need to figure out where I will put my hives next spring.  They will be new hives and I will be a new beekeeper.  Yah.  Anyway, around here they raise tulips, iris flowers, corn, potatoes, and wheat, also berries of all sorts. 

Is one of these a better choice for the bees?  I apologize if I overlooked somewhere that this might have been stated.

I don't have a truck so I may have to leave my bees put for a while at first.  So, I figure, before I stake out a good place for them, I should find out what a good place IS.  Trees, we have too many trees here.  I'm looking for a peaceful, sunny, pollen-filled spot.

Thanks, beeks!

Elle

[hardwood]

Head for the berries for sure! Corn is a wind pollinated crop and (although bees may work it for pollen during bitter times) you will see no nectar coming from it. Most berries will provide nectar for honey but bloom times vary so the flow may be short lived.

Scott

[BjornBee]

Elle,
Right now is certainly a good time to seek out locations. If you have goldenrod and aster, look for those flowers in the next couple weeks. Any place that has fields of goldenrod and aster indicate locations where the fields are not being worked and are great places for bees since it takes most of the summer for those plants to grow and eventually flower.

I suggest staying away from field corn and soybeans. About 95% of the seeds from those crops are pretreated with neonicotinoid systemic pesticides. While bees rarely work these crops, they will if factors dictate nothing else being available. And corn pollen (Not sure about soybeans) is way below the threshhold of the protein requirements and lack the essential amino acids required for dietary needs for brood anyways.

I suggest to beekeepers to concentrate on fall flowers as these locations are harder to find, but can be very beneficial to your hive's fall brood and eventual winter survival. Spring flowers are everywhere and to me are less important. I don't care where you have bees, most bees have an abundance of clovers, dandelions, and trees to work. So concentrate on fall flower and nectar sources.

Good luck on your search.

[indypartridge]

Trees, we have too many trees here.  I'm looking for a peaceful, sunny, pollen-filled spot.

What KIND of trees?

Trees can be an excellent source of pollen and nectar. I live in the woods and my season starts with pollen from maples and willows. My main honey crop is from the Tulip Poplar bloom. I'm scouting for a site in a grove of locust trees so I can get a Black Locust honey crop. Down south, Sourwood and Tupelo are considered premium honeys.

Talk to the local beeks and learn about the trees in your area.

[AllenF]

Just remember, there are a lot of things blooming in a mile and a half radius around you.   I think that there is probably enough for a hive of bees. 

[lenape13]

Corn, not good for bees.  Trees are great, especially cherry, but most trees provide great sources of pollen and nectar. 

[Elle]

The trees around here are birch and some cottonwood.  MOSTLY we have conifers: firs, cedars, needle type trees.

I read the posts about the bees doing better stated as "location location location" so am working on finding somewhere nice for them.  The beekeeper meeting here isn't until mid-September, so I haven't gotten much information from them, yet.

Thank you.

Elle

[bigbearomaha]

hey elle, you look familiar, lol.

under certain circumstances, corn pollen can be used by bees, but overall, corn is not very useful to them.

lots of good use out of the other crops you listed though.

you know, there's a forum I know of somewhere out there that has a section just for this topic, you might give them a try too.   ;)   I hear they're a bunch of rebels, so bee careful  LOL

Big Bear

[bud1]

I always watch the coton and bean farmers, great combo. if you can get close.




as long as the sprey rig doesnt come too close to your hives you will do great on beans. I have over 40 hives setting in a grove between cotton and soybeans that have matured, but about 150-200ac. just starting to bloom. they wil plug your hives with corn pollen

ps. several made 200lb+