milkweed field

[gardeningfireman]

One of my bee yards, (right now has 5 hives) is on the edge of a large field absolutely loaded with milkweed that is starting to bloom. The bees are already all over it. Does milkweed produce a honey crop? I was wondering if I should get some supers over there.

[heus]

I am surprised that yours is just now blooming. The milkweed around here (Ashtabula County) bloomed a few weeks ago and now has seed pods forming. I have read that milkweed produces alot of nectar. I know that my bees love it, but some get stuck to the blooms and die.

[gardeningfireman]

This is the bushy, red-twigged milkweed,with small leaves. Not the kind I usually see along RR tracks and ditches. Clusters of tiny white flowers, and about 3-4 feet tall. Seems like everything opens and blooms later down here than up closer to the lake.

[AllenF]

Check your bees to see if they need supers.   You can not judge by one field with the miles of stuff blooming around them also and the condition of the hives.

[heus]

I think you are refering to dogbane, which I believe is in the milkweed family.

[gardeningfireman]

Yes, that is what it looks like.