- Jessica S. Herwick
You may have heard it mentioned that the Philadelphia Master
Gardeners maintain a hotline stocked with experts who are available to answer
your gardening and horticulture questions (click here for more information).
The hotline operators are well versed, and love the diverse and
stimulating conversations that are sparked when callers bring their variety of
questions.
Some of you green thumbs out there have been calling up and asking
all about honeybees, pollinator gardens, and providing support for these tiny
but important creatures. Some of
you have been inquiring about beehives and how to learn more about
beekeeping. Pollinator gardens and
beekeeping are steadily becoming more important to our ecosystem functions; not
to mention the need for pollination to support the production of berries,
fruits and veggies in our gardens and orchards.
The Master Gardeners would like to encourage all gardeners
to consider this important part of our plants life cycles as they plan, plant
and harvest their garden areas. In
response to your questions through the horticulture hotline, here is more information
about honeybees, honey, beekeeping, and the plants that support this cycle. The
Master Gardeners of Philadelphia hope you can find something in here to spark
your interest. It can be easy (and
productive for your garden or landscape) to add plants, shrubs and herbs that
will flower throughout the seasons and provide the much-needed supports for
pollinators.
THE BASICS – WHAT
DOES A HONEYBEE DO?
They use their long, tube-like tongues like straws (called proboscis) to
suck the nectar out of the flowers and they store it in their stomachs and
carry it to the beehive. While inside the bee's second ‘honey’ stomach, the
nectar mixes with the proteins and enzymes it produces and converts the nectar
into honey. The honey is dropped into the beeswax comb, comprised of hexagonal
cells made of wax, produced by the bees. Bees fan their wings to evaporate and
thicken the honey (note: nectar is 80% water and honey is about 14-18% water).
When this is done, the bees cap the honeycomb with wax. This process is
repeated until each comb is full.
Over the winter, blossoms, and therefore nectar and pollen, are nearly
impossible to find for long periods of time. The bees will tap into the capped
honeycombs to feed themselves. However, a hive only needs a small portion of
honey to survive the winter, so the extra honey can be harvested by beekeepers
and processed to sell and bring to your kitchens without damaging the natural
life and feeding cycle of the honeybee hives.
PSU OFFERS AN ONLINE
BEEKEEPING CLASS (for anyone who wants to learn)!
Whether you are an
experienced beekeeper, a new beekeeper, or thinking about starting a backyard
beehive, Penn State Beekeeping 101 is a one-of-a-kind completely online
learning experience.
Expert instructors will walk you through all of the basic
knowledge to start hives in your backyard.
Beekeeping 101 is suitable for both beginner beekeepers and
those with experience who want continuing education.
Individual Registration costs $189.00
For more information or to register for this class, go to - http://www.beekeeping101.psu.edu/
FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
- PLANTS THAT ATTRACT & FEED THE
HONEYBEE
Outlined below are 5
suggestions that will attract and feed your pollinators, but will also result in
numerous types of tasty honey if you’re an adventurous urban or rooftop
beekeeper! These 5 plants are some
of my favorites. As a matter of
fact, I have 4 of the 5 growing in my yard at home! Honeybees need an available source of nectar as well as
pollen in order to sustain, so give them plants that provide a variety of both
and keep them coming back for more.
Some of the suggestions below provide both pollen and nectar. Some
provide only one or the other.
1. Borage (Borago officinalis)
Self-seeding,
medicinal plant that can over-winter. Young leaves and blueish-purple blossoms are edible and may be used in
salads. Provides spring forage for honeybees, and blooms into the summer months.
Edible Annual, Nectar
2. Phacelia, Tansy (Phacelia tanacetifolia)
One of the best spring forage sources for honeybees. Blooms 45-60 days
and continuously produces nectar throughout the day. Can be seeded several
times per year. Prefers three feet of topsoil.
Annual, Nectar and Pollen
3. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Prolonged bloom of 45 - 50 days generally in summer, but with occasional
blooming in warmer, autumn seasons. Delicate honey with very light, pinkish
color.
Perennial Edible Herb, Nectar
4. Elderberry Bush (Sambucus nigra)
Blooms for 10 - 15 days, but
honeybees will flock to this shrub when it is in bloom. The annual variety
of elderberry, Sambucus ebulus, is also a good honeybee plant.
Edible Fruit Bearing Shrub, Nectar and Pollen
5. Bergamot (Monarda didyma) Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Also known as bee balm or oswego-tea – hardy perennials topped by crowns
studded with lipped flowers, blooming from summer into fall. There are many
varieties of this perennial with a range of colored flowers from bright pinks
and reds, to purple and even white. Bergamots prefer a slightly moist spot with
full sun.
WARNING - English Oak,
Common Oak (Quercus robur )
Oaks are important trees for beekeepers to know about. They bloom in May
or June and the nectar is poisonous for bees; when fed to larvae, the larvae
can die. It is important to have other nectar sources for honeybees during the
oak nectar flow. The nectar is not poisonous for humans.
Some Websites Where You Can Learn More…
About Honey, Honeybees and Beekeeping
http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/agrs93.pdf
PDF Guidebook created by the PSU Cooperative Extension, Lots of detailed information specific
to the Pennsylvania Climates!
http://outdoorplace.org/beekeeping/citybees.htm
This page describes beekeeping in
urban and suburban areas, and tips on how to be a successful city beekeeper. Do not try at home without the proper instruction!
Honey From The Hood!
Check out the fabulous honey made right here in
Philadelphia!
About Plants that attract, feed and support a variety of
pollinators
PDF guidebook (printable) developed and published by the USDA Forest
Service providing a guide to providing habitats for pollinators in the eastern
United States.
http://extension.psu.edu/philadelphia/programs/master-gardener/horticulture-hot-line
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