Ever wonder when your honeybees begin harvesting nectar and pollen?

In Indiana, some of the first plants to produce nectar and pollen in the spring include willows, maples, and redbuds.

Willows and maples, especially the red and silver varieties, begin to bloom as early as March, offering vital nourishment for pollinators providing an essential food source for our honeybees.. Redbuds, with their vibrant pink flowers, typically bloom in April, adding to the early spring bounty for bees and other insects.

You may not notice this? Why?  Because willow and maple flowers are not showy and obvious. Also bees may only forage for a couple of afternoon hours, when air temperatures are in the mid 50s. 

Your best indicators?  On warmer afternoons watch for hive entrance activity, and pollen on bee’s rear legs.  

Bottom line:  Your bees are building up their populations… Ready for April when the BIG Nectar Flows begin.  😀