Mayhaws and Henbits are Blooming

Spring is creeping up on us here in the south really quick, if not a bit early. Like 2-3 weeks early. I guess it has to do with the lack of winter temps and good amounts of rain. Temps have been averaging in the upper 60's with only a few dips into the 30's, one good drop into the 20's back in November, but all in all there has not been a sustained cold spell for more than 3 or 4 days before it is back in the upper 60's and 70's. This has caused my bees to be actively bored. They are warm enough to be out flying everyday but nothing to really forage on. So what do they do? Well they constantly check every person on the farm for flowers (LOL).

Henbit that bloomed in my front yard today 1-18-2020

Until this week that is. This week I have seen a drop in that kind of activity around the farm. As a matter of fact, I noticed the last 10 days or so that the bees have been bringing in an increasing amount of pollen between rain showers. Actually today I saw a whole bunch of bees bringing in bright yellow, dark yellow, and even a grey looking pollen. I don't know where these different colors come from, but I do know that it means there are at least three different varieties blooming right now. Two things I noticed today that are blooming are shown here.

Mayhaw blooming at my grandparents 

 The henbit is not considered a honey plant by the LSU AgCenter, but it is considered very important here in Louisiana because it is one of the earliest heavy pollen and nectar producers. This is what is needed before the heavy nectar flows begin so that the queens can start producing brood and build up the colony numbers so that there are more workers to bring in nectar and pollen to store. So, although henbit is a great producer of nectar and pollen, it is not really considered a honey plant here due to the colony populations being too low this time of year to actually store a significant amount. Nevertheless it is VERY important to the bees.

The other bloom I saw today was the Mayhaw at my grandparents old home. This is roughly 2 weeks earlier than last year and it causes me to wonder what this means for the nectar flow this year. We still have a few months of probable frost days. If the Mayhaw is two weeks early I'm afraid that means that the other blooming trees may be at risk of frost causing a short lived early nectar flow. Only time will tell. As mild of a winter we have had so far it may not be much of an issue at all. 

Another bloom I have been seeing on the increase the last few weeks is everyone's favorite, White Dutch Clover. I have not seen it here on the farm as of yet, though I do have quite a bit planted and growing here, but as little as three miles away and beyond I have been seeing many blooms of the wonderful bee food. I am starting to believe that this hill I live on has its own weird micro-climate inside of USDA Zone 8b. Its hard to explain, but things in about a 3 mile radius are just different than the rest of the parish. 

Well, thats all I have time for right now. Thanks for stopping by!