Elsa Hayden

HoneySuckle
Rose rugosa
Sunflowers
Mint
Lavender
False Indigo/Baptisa
Peas
Muskmelon
Stone fruit trees (peaches, plum, apricots, cherry)
Blueberries
Sweet alyssum
Anisie hyssop

I saw these recommended in this article https://bestbees.com/2021/05/24/tips-for-a-summer-garden/, and it's a summary of a video event that a horticulturalist did where she talked about how to have the best, most pollinator-friendly summer garden. She also mentioned having an easy water source for the bees, like a birdbath, but making sure to put stones or shells in it, so that the bees have something to rest on while they drink!

Something you can do to prevent swarms is remove the extra queen cells — they look like peanuts hanging from the comb. This article https://bestbees.com/2021/06/04/backyard-beekeeping-swarm-prevention/ goes into more detail about what swarming is, how to catch a swarm, and even what to do if it seems inevitable your hive is going to swarm. I recommend giving it a read if you want more information. Good luck!

https://bestbees.com/2022/05/04/bee-stings/

^^^ This article I was reading about bee stings, in addition to helpful information about why bees sting, how to prevent stings, and what to do to most effectively treat them, had this super interesting anecdote from a professional beekeeper!

"I recall fondly when a long-term client shared with me data saying that beekeepers live longer lives. We discussed different hypotheses, from molecular causes such as venom, to holistic benefits like the biophilic effects of connections to nature that lower stress. From that conversation to today, I say that every time someone gets stung, that’s another day on their life. See ya when I’m 150 years old, y’all. — Noah Wilson-Rich"

Pretty wild!! I guess what doesn't kill you really can make you stronger sometimes!