I've been exploring the major nectar sources in my location to see what
kinds of things might be done to improve the 'bee country' rating. Here in
the UK there is some good pressure on farmers to increase bio-diversity and
generally be a bit more eco-friendly, and I'm looking to find ways of
helping that happen in ways that are supportive of the wild bee population.

One god candidate is the clovers. They are useful to farmers as free
sources of nitrogen, as they fix the gas from the atmosphere, and are often
seeded for sheep and (Ithink) cattle. I've clipped below a short exchange
from another bee elist that tries to develop this aim, wondering if anyone
would like to help with this general project...:

[Mike] Howes says white clover is improved by grazing, after which the
flowers are smaller. He recommends crimson clover (aka 'Italian', 'Carnation'
or 'trifolium') as best all round for bees. Wiki says its still used, though
grows better in the south (I assume that's UK). He also says red is not
nearly so good as white. But current strains in use might upset a lot of this
- a survey would be great, enabling recommendations to be passed on to the
farmers, perhaps along with a pint or three.




(poster replied: I planted my land up with the Clifton Park Mix from
Hunters Seeds and this contains Red Clover, Alsike Clover, White Clover & Wild
White Clover. I have watched my bees over the past few days working the
large blooms of the White Clover, though I haven't seen them on the wild
clover.)


[Mike] It makes sense I guess to aim at diversity in this kind of way.
The various clovers will produce nectar under different weather and grazing
conditions, and the bees will take those that suit them best at any
particular time. Those chosen strains will then set more seed, and become more
prevalant. Ahh, natural selection, ecology, such beautiful stuff, isn't it?

I wonder if seed producers can be encouraged to increase diversity? Or, I
suppose, one could make up a mix by sourcing a range of suppliers then
stirring them all together in a pot.

Mike (South-east UK)






_http://www.suttonjoinery.co.uk/CCD/_ (http://www.suttonjoinery.co.uk/CCD/)


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