It's vital to know other beekeepers and grow the skill's bank for beekeeping in SA and the world!  

We are so excited!
The Honey Extractors are available again with 3-frames & 4-frame manual spinners & 6 frame manual!    

What makes for a great Bee plant? 
It's not just about the flowers...

Bees can benefit differently from the quality of the flower's nectar and pollen. Therefore, some flowers can "bee" more friendly than others!

How do you know the best from the rest? 

The best way to find out is from your local plant specialist such as a botanist, refer to a local floral book indicating flowering times, pollen and nectar strength or an institution that studies your local plants and biology!

The Blue Book contains an exact chapter on many trees, plants, shrubs and crops specifying their respective pollen and nectar values out of 4. It's worth purchasing the blue book just for this data!  

More about researching the best plants   
The alternative is to get hold of your local university or college and enquire with the botany or biology department. As we have subscribers from all over the world we look to cater to as common a list as possible but also provide you a way to research your indigenous list of best bee plants! Also refer to horticultural societies.

What about the Common Bee Plants?

The eucalyptus species is prolific as far as pollen and nectar goes in general however the red river gum, ironbark and sugar gum are the real powerhouses of best bee plants.

The question should perhaps be better put before proceeding. If the plants and their flowers are to operate in isolation then it is easy to make a list. If the bees require a more sustained source there would be a completely different list however.

Perhaps one can view it with these two aims in mind: we want bees to be strong and nourished for as long as possible throughout the year with little need for moving them. (It is not healthy for the queen to be laying all year round - she needs a break to preserve her longevity and production performance over time. Recommended 2 month break!)  

From the bee's perspective: 

The common plants to look for or to grow for hobbyists would be lavendar (fine), catmint, sage, thyme, borage and fennel. Not only are these good bee plants but they can be used in the household and generally when cooking! Rosemary also makes for a hardy garden bee plant.

Holyhocks (although have prickly spikes), geranium, buttercup, calendula are also great favourites for the garden! Poppy and sunflower are also great bee plants for common garden use.

It would be good practice to formulate a cycle of flowering that covers all of spring, summer and autumn at high levels of nectar and pollen. A very light winter offering or none at all to allow the queen bee time to rest.

Major health warning!

Unfortunately, seedlings and seeds themselves have been treated with neonicotinoids which is a built-in pesticide. free seedlings or seeds. These type of treatments are threatening to bees and all other natural pollinators. Avoid them completely. You do more damage planting these than if you didn't plant at all...

The alternative to ask for are seeds that are deemed heirloom seeds! At the time of writing we have found a family run business in our city that provides such seeds in Lynnwood, Pretoria who ship nationwide like us!

South African supplier - http://www.organicseed.co.za

Organic Heirloom Seed Suppliers - USA & Canada

Dear Warrick,

Thank you for sharing our concern about bees! All of our 100% certified organic, non-GMO seeds are untreated. Neonicitinoids are not allowed in organic agriculture. Shipping only allowed within USA & Canada!

~ from the reply by  Seeds of Change

Also try Seed Savers USA

For the UK try Plants to plant

BEE Plant wise!

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What are GMOs? Read a blog post about GMO's & What's happening to our seeds and plants across the globe!

What are Neos? Read about the danger to pollinators and honeybees especially with this type of pesticide!

Easy Buzzing bee course

Going forward the bee course dates for Joburg are:

May 30th in Midrand.  

Bee WARE RETAIL open in Centurion from 09h00 -16h00 weekdays. Sat 09h00 - 12h30.