Bee Sanctuary.

[bwallace23350]

I am in the process of buying 5 acres of land. Will this be enough to support 2 more hives especially if I work to make it an orchard and wildflower refuge?

[cao]

Bees will forage up to 2-3 miles from the hive.  I don't think that 5 acres even well planted will support a hive by itself.  Although it would help and would benefit much more than just the honeybees. 

[divemaster1963]

Any amount of improved forage for pollinators is good for your bees and area bees. One of my outyards is a fifteen acres with fruit trees and clover. They will work close and faraway from the hive.  Drive the area around the land and see what wild forage there is to.

John.

[bwallace23350]

Part of the goal is to support more of my future beehives but another goal is to improve native and local pollinators. Thanks for the tips.

[little john]

If you look at:  http://roane.ext.wvu.edu/r/download/93589  you could well believe that 5 acres would support a dozen hives on it's own, providing you seeded appropriately.  A useful document  for plant choice - but I'd take the honey and pollen yield figures with a large pinch of salt. 

One thing to bear in mind is that wild flower meadows not cropped for hay need a fair amount of maintenance, especially in the early days, if they are not to turn into scrub land, dominated by nettles and couch grass.

And with regard to species such as Viper's Bugloss (echium vulgare), do be aware that these take 2 years to bloom when started from seed - so it would pay to get some seeds into the ground, or into pots, as soon as possible so that they can develop their first year growth during the current season.

LJ

[Jim134]

In most cases on small pieces of land. The right trees will outperform most all soil crops. on both nectar and pollen. And in my opinion much easier to take care of.

               BEE HAPPY Jim 134 

[Michael Bush]

>I am in the process of buying 5 acres of land. Will this be enough to support 2 more hives

No, but the 8,000 acres around you will likely support 20 or 30 hives...

[bwallace23350]

One thing to bear in mind is that wild flower meadows not cropped for hay need a fair amount of maintenance, especially in the early days, if they are not to turn into scrub land, dominated by nettles and couch grass............ We have bahia grass which is a bunch grass. So while it looks like the whole pasture is covered it in facts has a couple inches inbetween each grass that allows for some seed to come up. That is how I arranged my other wildflower patch an it worked well. I scratched the ground and seeded.

[KeyLargoBees]

land is so scarce down here in the Keys....I wish I could just buy 5 acres but thats millions of dollars at our real estate costs LOL.

[little john]

One thing to bear in mind is that wild flower meadows not cropped for hay need a fair amount of maintenance, especially in the early days, if they are not to turn into scrub land, dominated by nettles and couch grass............ We have bahia grass which is a bunch grass. So while it looks like the whole pasture is covered it in facts has a couple inches inbetween each grass that allows for some seed to come up. That is how I arranged my other wildflower patch an it worked well. I scratched the ground and seeded.

Sounds ideal for your purpose.  Very envious.  I've tried 'seeding and leaving' in this locality (silt/reclaimed estuary marsh-land) and all I can produce is nettles.  Wall-to-wall nettles, 6ft high.  Even some Himalayan Balsam I've planted as a test is struggling to compete.  Bummer.
LJ

[Blacksheep]

I planted several things for the bees and none ever touched any of it!They leave and get what they want when they need it and the foragers tell them where to go for their needs!When my bees leave the hives they take off like rockets!

[Smertrios]

My personal favorite document when looking at theoretical nectar+pollen yields...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees

If I could experiment Phacelia Tanacetifolia is something I would try. 45-60 days of bloom, all day nectar source and can plant multiple times per year. They have to produce alot of seed $?.

[BeeMaster2]

LJ,
It sounds like it may bee very salty soil. If it is, you will need to find a good plant with a high tolerance for salt to get anything to grow.
It could also be the PH is either high or low. Have it tested and ask your ag agent for suggestions.

Jim

[jimineycricket]

Contact this group.  They may give you the seed and pay you to plant it.

Peter Berthelsen, Director of Habitat Partnerships
Pheasants Forever, Inc. at 1011 Alexander Avenue, Elba, NE   68835
308-390-0848         [email protected]

[Joe D]

Is there a creek running close to it, there are lots of trees that grow wild and especially in wet and swampy areas.  I have 25 acres of crimson clover that my bees like, it also has hairy vetch in it but the honey bees don't work it very much, bumble bees do and deer and turkeys like it.
Your Bees will fine plenty, or should in your area.  On the fields that I have I rent them to a hay farmer with the understanding that he will not cut it before the seed get close to mature so they reseed the fields.  I have seen bees on the blooms of Bahia and Johnson grass too.  Things like Shoemake and privet hedge bees love also.

Good luck to you and your bees,

Joe D

[little john]

LJ,
It sounds like it may bee very salty soil. If it is, you will need to find a good plant with a high tolerance for salt to get anything to grow.
It could also be the PH is either high or low. Have it tested and ask your ag agent for suggestions.

Jim

Hi Jim - I think the main problem is that the soil is both acid and too rich in nutrients - farmers around here frequently grow two crops per season (by planting one of them in modules) - whereas wild flowers seem to prefer poorer soil.  The very best land in Britain for wild flowers is on the chalk plains (called 'Downs') of Southern England where the top soil is only a couple of inches deep, and of course very alkaline.  So my area is great for heavy cropping, especially potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sugar beet etc. - as there's not a stone in sight - but not so good for wild flowers ...
LJ

[Caribou]

It takes energy for a bee to fly.  While five acres may not bee enough to support you bees any flower on your property is worth more than the same bloom a mile away.  The closer the nectar and pollen the more flights per day.