Beneficial crops for bees

[Beefunkrailroad]

Happy New Year to everyone!  2015 is going to be a great year!
I would love hear some wisdom and receive some advice. 
We have 10-15 acres that can bee used for crop planting around our bee yard. 
What would you recommend planting to help either provide a nectar source or supplement during Summer dearth.

I have been told that Buckwheat is a good crop to plant and that Cow Peas are good.  I am going to be planting over a large area.
Any ideas? 

[10framer]

i plant buckwheat and disc it under after it goes to seed until the first frost.  i get 3 blooms from one planting.
next winter i'm going to be planting canola.

[Dallasbeek]

Does the buckwheat come back, or do you have to plant each year? 

[Beefunkrailroad]

That is a great question Dallasbeek.
Also 10framer, is there some other crop you would recommend to plant along with the Buckwheat?

[jayj200]

does it have to be one crop

down here there is a tree or bush with a flower looks like a starburst or a fire cracker going off it is red. I don't know the name, the bees were all over it last week.

I would find stuff that fruits, nuts, or veges 
then find when it flowers in your area. spread the flower times out evenly

[OldMech]

what you plant in kentucky may not be the same as I would here in Iowa..
   Sainfoin, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Crimson and sweet clover, with JUST a smattering of buckwheat thrown in..   In the fall i will mow and bale it for the cows and horses. yes buckwheat will cause sun problems, thats why I am not adding much of it..    I will have to replant about every 5 years..

[Beefunkrailroad]

Hey there OldMech, I just talked to a few bee keepers here in Kentucky and they recommended the buckwheat and clover.  Also Sunflower and Mustard.
What do you mean by sun problems?  Does a lot of buckwheat cause issues to a field?

[OldMech]

No, with the animals that eat it. Primarily horses. Photosensitization (ulcerative and exudative dermatitis).  A little is OK but too much will start to cause problems. It wont hurt your field at all.   Make sure if you plant a lot of it that you like the licorice flavor it gives the honey. Some folks love it, some hate it.

[Dallasbeek]

To me, it tastes a little like molasses.  I like it.

[10framer]

buckwheat is supposed to come back but i've always plowed it under and planted deer fields in those spots in the fall.