Planting an acre for bees

[columbiacritter]

So I have an acre of unused pasture in front of my hives I'd like to plow and sew with a mixed crop for my bees. I don't care for pure buckwheat honey so what else can I plant the seed for? I'd like a mix of several plants types.

I'm also looking for a source of lavender plants. 30 or 40 to line the fence going down to the hives. If anyone has a good source let me know. Lavender honey is yummy.

[jackobeeo]

Hi cc:

Here are a few sites with recommendations:

Some Nice Bees here
nature.berkeley.edu/urbanbeegardens/

An Oregon recommended list
plants.usda.gov/pollinators/Plants_for_Pollinators_in_Oregon_PM%2013.pdf

Another Oregon list
www.gardenguides.com/94074-plants-oregon-produce-nectar-bees.html

Northern Plants - thats US! ;D
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees

Lardner - California based
www.larnerseeds.com/_pages/wildflower_annual.html#Baby_Blue_Eyes

Wildseed Farms, I have some of these
orsba.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=post&thread=2373&page=1

Annies Nursery -
www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/general/lst.gen.asp?prodid=1280

UK based, similar climate but some not common here
www.squidoo.com/best-plants-for-bees

I like asters & wildflowers generally. They can survive but avoid those here -
plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=State&statefips=41

Good luck with your quest, so many plants....

Jack

[columbiacritter]

Sweet, I had forgotten about wildseed, thanks for recommending them. Now I just need to rent a tiller.

[jardiniere28]

Are you mad??? Hire a tractor guy... roto-tilling that acre will kill you dead!

[columbiacritter]

You've been to my place, you know I'm a total wing nut already! I'm also damn cheap so I'll see what a tractor guy will charge vs. renting a big walk behind tiller for a couple days. Beisdes getting a tractor down there also means clearing a path through the debris of the barn collapse.

I did ask my local tractor person but his plow attachment is broken.

[mrbadger]

I see it's been a while since this thread was active. But it's exactly what I'm asking myself. I have a few acres I could plant something on to help the bees I'm about to install. But what to plant? I'd like something that I could sew broadcast and then leave to fend for itself. So a mix of native plants seems like an obvious option. But where does one get seeds for such things without breaking the bank? For that matter, where do I get seeds for things like clover etc?

Thanks,

Mark (AKA MrBadger)

[akovia]

I found these sources and continue to look for locally produced native seeds.

www.prairienursery.com/resources-and-guides/seeds-and-seed-mixes/documents/seed-mix-establishment.pdf

www.prairiemoon.com/insectopia-prairie-seed-mix-prairie-moon-nursery.html

www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/EstablishingPollinatorMeadows.pdf