Forest West

I asked my browser AI about Honey, this is what it said:  Yes, honey can be used to enrich soil as a natural biostimulant, but it carries risks of being detrimental if misused. When properly diluted and applied, honey acts as a soil amendment that boosts beneficial microbial activity, improves soil structure, and provides trace nutrients like potassium, calcium, and iron, which can enhance root growth and plant resilience.

However, using honey directly on soil without proper dilution or in excessive amounts can be detrimental.  High sugar concentrations can cause osmotic stress, dehydrating plant roots and hindering water absorption.  Additionally, the sweetness attracts pests like ants and aphids, and the high acidity of honey can disrupt soil pH balance, potentially harming plants that prefer neutral or alkaline conditions.

To use honey safely and effectively:

Dilute properly: Mix 1–2 tablespoons of honey per gallon of water to create a solution that supports microbes without causing sugar burn.
Apply correctly: Use the diluted mixture as a foliar spray or root drench during the growing season, aiming for application every two to four weeks.
Monitor pH: If using frequently, consider adding lime or compost to counteract honey’s natural acidity and maintain balanced soil conditions.
Prefer raw honey: Raw or darker honeys (like Manuka) contain higher levels of nutrients and enzymes compared to pasteurized varieties.

Thekla McDaniels wrote:4 inches or shorter is the hard part.  The ones I can think of have been listed already.  I don’t know if there are low growing asters, but the native asters of this region provide a source of something for the bees.  Their flowers are tiny daisies, about half an ounce inch diameter.

Rocky Mountain Bee Plant is an excellent forage plant for bees.  That’s Cleome serrulata, but it’s a lot taller than 4 inches.  It begins blooming shortly after the solstice and continues until fall cold or lack of water kill it.  I have seen it shoulder high, and as wide covered in mauve flowers… and humming with bees.  It’s one of my favorites to grow.

Thanks for this suggestion.  I have not heard  of this plant before (Rocky Mountain Bee Plant).  I am a beekeeper and I'm always looking for a good nectar and pollen source for the bees.  I will plan on getting some seeds and see if I can get some started for next year.  Another plant that I am starting are asters.  They bloom well into the fall and I'm hoping they will be a good late food source and especially for those late swarms that miss the main nectar flow.

If you want to attract honeybees, there are a number of plants you can choose from.  Borage is a phenomenal plant.  Did you know that once a bee visits the borage flower and sucks up its nectar, that within 2 - 10 minutes the borage plant replenishes it again.  The majority of all plants will not replenish its nectar till the following day.  That is why I continually see bees on my borage flowers all day long.  Another plant that draws honey bees is kale and letting it flower.  Cat-mint plant is another magnet for bees.  There are so many other flowering plants but this is a start

On the western side of Washington state, I have found some native trees that are very good for bees.  I've read the other suggestions so I won't repeat them. The hawthorn trees are covered with bees.  And the Cascara seems to bloom for a long time.  All I hear is a loud buzzing every time I walk past either of these trees.  And if you want to really help your bees in late summer plant wild marjoram.  It starts to bloom in July and last at least 2 months or more, when there are fewer things in bloom.  The bees are just covered on the marjoram every day.  The plant is also drought resistant.  We use the leaves to add to our eggs in the morning.  It will spread profusely by seed.  So, if you plant it be sure it's someplace appropriate.  We have a few plants growing in our stone driveway.  If you have a place to let fireweed grow, that is something we notice bees love.  We let our kale go to seed and so we have volunteer kale coming up several places.  When it flowers the bees are on it every day.  The other one bee’s love that is prolific and spreads by seed if wild mustard.  Bees use cottonwood trees for propolis so don't cut them down.  I've heard a number of people saying how cottonwood isn't worth anything.  The whole population needs re-educated that most all trees have benefits for our creatures of Mother Nature.  Like dandelions.  I purposely try to cultivate them in my field along with clover. I strongly believe diversity is so important for honeybees.  We grow different herbs and flowers. Some of these things are small suppliers but the bees use pollen from many sources to make bee bread for food.  We have an orchard so of course they gravitate to the blossoms of the different fruit trees.  They love raspberries.  And like I saw what one person mentioned already that wild blackberries are the biggest nectar source of all for most of our area.  Something you will learn about is the mite problem that have killed so many hives.  Oxalic Acid is one of the organic methods that I have found to be safe for the bees.  It does not leave residue in the honeycomb like others.  I got a wild swarm in the spring and had a good season with honey production.  I tested my bees in late December with one treatment of Oxalic Acid fumigation. I put a white poster board that I slid in the bottom board through the front opening and then treated the hive.  The treatment last for 3 days.  I pulled the poster board out and counted how many dead mites had dropped onto the white poster.  I was shocked at how many mites there were.  I continued treating until I saw no more mites.  If I had not done that, I would suspect that my hive would have failed and died come spring.  If you are going to get bees, I would not buy a package from the commercial source.  There are always swarms in May and June. Most likely the swarms are bees that made it through the year and are accustomed to the weather in your area.  If you have trouble finding one yourself, call the different local beekeepers and tell them you will pay for them to catch a swarm for you.  I wish you a lot of fun and happiness with your honeybee adventures.

I keep honeybees and there are always lots of bumbles around. One plant I didn't hear anyone mention is wild marjoram. It is the queen of all my bee plants that they like the most. It is drought resistant and usually starts to bloom in July through August. An important time when there are fewer blossoms around. Wild marjoram is also a pretty tough plant if it gets roughed up. It seems to spread mostly by seeds. Another great flower for bumbles is purple tansy phacelia lacy. Not to be confused by tansy ragwort. I am using it as a cover crop and once your grow it, there are numerous seed pods to replant for the next year. As for the Asphalt guys....I can't imagine plants just wanting to grow right up in the asphalt, unless the asphalt is getting old and cracks are developing. And when that happens of course nature will try to fill those cracks with seeds that blow around. The only true way keep this from happening is to pull them out as soon as you see them

I just cleared two years ago about 3 acres of alder trees. I fertilized and spread lime and planted grass seed that the seed company said was considered pasture grass for animals. Should I have someone come out and look at my standing grass to make sure it is suitable for raising cattle ? Are some grasses not suitable for raising strong healthy cattle. Thanks for your help
Chris

Hello Victoria, Welcome from Washington State. I used to live in Ohio