Getting Ready for Next Year's Expansion

[bwallace23350]

So on the 31st of this month I close on my new spread in the country. It is only 4.6 acres but it is a house pretty much in pure pasture land and a bit of planted pines and small trees on one side. I probably have 4 acres of just pasture land. I want to have at least one or two hives out at my place. The land will be a huge boom during the spring and then probably a bust after that but perhaps some of the houses around plant things they will like. My goal is to plant trees for a big spring build up and then some for the bust part of the year. I was thinking about ten red maples and some hollies around the house. I am also going to plant chestnut, walnut, and pecan trees for my own eating purposes in the future. Perhaps 3-4 of each of them. What would be a good tree or shrub to plant in a decent number that looks good and blooms in mid June and July? I have not been out there much in the spring to see the state of the pollinators but the lady who I am buying to place from did not like flower gardens or beds so I also have all shrubs I could want to plant around the house. I am thinking of making a raised bed or rows of it and planting lavender also.

[Dallasbeek]

Remember that bees will travel out at least a couple of miles to forage.  What you plant on 4 acres will have little effect on your bees.  That being said, good luck with being a country gentleman.

[Van, Arkansas, USA]

Wallace, if you plant pecans, the little man will enjoy your efforts when he is grown.  A slow growing tree but well worth the effort for future generations to come.  Peach trees, black berries are big in your area and don?t forget the Dogwood.  The bees will be all over the peach tree blossoms as well as the black berries.  Have fun.
Blessings

[Dallasbeek]

A good variety of pecan should start producing nuts in four or five years and reach full production in 9 or 10 years.  Consult your count agent for a recommendation of a good variety in your area.

[bwallace23350]

Thanks for the recommendations. I am going to check up on the variety of pecans. I am only 33 so even if it took 20 years I should get some actions out of the trees.

[LizzieBee]

Chinese Tallows are really good trees for honey and pollen production and mine are blooming for the second time since June. They are considered very invasive in some states though. They grow quickly, and are hard to kill.

Lizzie

[Van, Arkansas, USA]

Moved thread.

[gunswayne]

The crepe myrtles and the mesquite are blooming here in southeast Texas right now but the big one is cotton. Also the ash trees are doing their thing but I?m not sure they are a good pollinator.

[Sledin]

So your acreage is in the middle of a bunch of farmers pasture land, or your acreage is just open field?

If the neighbouring properties are uncultivated farm land I'd plant wild flowers on my land and hope it would spread to the pastures clovers would be prime.

You might start with your two hives then find there is more nectar than you thought.


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[Sputnik]

My peach tree is 8 years old. It sprouted in the compost. This is the 3rd year for fruit. I have been picking for a week now. It still has hundreds of peaches on it. We have been eating peaches, peach cobbler, home made peach ice cream, and making peach preserves. Fruit and nut trees are very worthwhile.

[BeeMaster2]

The crepe myrtles and the mesquite are blooming here in southeast Texas right now but the big one is cotton. Also the ash trees are doing their thing but I?m not sure they are a good pollinator.

Crape Myrtles have no nectaries. They do not provide any nectar.
Jim

[beepro]

Paulownia Princess/Empress trees.

I've seen the purple/blue flowers but have not yet grow them.  This is declared the world fastest growing tree. 
It will help the bees through your summer dearth.

I have peach trees all over my backyard.  In early Spring they are competing with the wild mustard blooms.  Not that many
bees are on the peach flowers.  They all went to the wild mustard patch out there in the open fields at the same time when the
peach trees are blooming.   Under irrigation you can grow the wild mustard all year long.   

[Beeboy01]

My neighbor planted about a 1/2 acre of sunflowers this year and it gave me a nice boost in honey production. Just a thought, try some sunflowers.

[beepro]

There are some sunflower species that do not produce pollen.   So choose your
variety wisely.