Why is Goldenrod so important for your bees?*

Why is Goldenrod so important for your bees?

By Ray Civitts

In the South, Goldenrod is basically the last true nectar and pollen source for your bees for the season. Goldenrod tends to mature at different stages.  In our area, we can expect a 4 week to 6 week Goldenrod maturity.

The Goldenrod is NOT a real marketable honey.  The honey actually has a bitter smell to it.  But there are some people in this world that appreciate Goldenrod honey.

The honey produced will change the smell within your hive almost immediately and will remain in the hive until the Goldenrod honey is consumed by the bees in early spring.  Goldenrod does not smell sweet as you would find during the traditional nectar flow from Spring to Summer.  The nectar is extremely important nectar flow that will effect your hive in several ways:

 

* THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.