California Nectar Flow & Bee Forage Calendar

What blooms for honey bees in California through the year, when the flow is on and when the dearth hits. Main flow Jan to Jul, fall flow Aug to Dec. Built from the California Central Valley region: 74 forage plants and crops, honey-bee-confirmed.

California: Your Beekeeping Year

Main flow Jan to Jul Dearth brief Fall flow Aug to Dec

The fall flow mostly builds their own winter stores, not a harvest to bank on. If a hive is light going into winter, feed 2:1 syrup while it is still warm enough for them to take it.

What's blooming in California

Every forage plant behind the flow, including the introduced and invasive honey plants native-plant guides leave out.

Major flow

Nectar strength: low to high (bold names are major flows)

Native Introduced Invasive

Sources for this region: honey-plant references · Klein et al. 2007 · regional varietal honeys · Xerces California Central Valley (PPBI) · Xerces California Central Valley (PPBI); genus estimate from American Honey Plants · Xerces California Central Valley (PPBI); genus estimate from Plants for Bees · Xerces California Central Valley (PPBI); genus estimate from UC ANR; OSU Extension · Xerces California Central Valley (PPBI); values from American Honey Plants · Xerces California Central Valley (PPBI); values from Plants for Bees. Every plant is drawn from these, not generated. Tap any plant name to see its details and source.

Typical regional timing, not a forecast. The sources for this region are listed under the calendar.

Crops near you: bees and farmers

8 crops grown around California that feed bees and mostly depend on them to set a full harvest.

Crop	Blooms	Bees get	Crop needs bees
Almond	Feb to Mar	Pollen	Essential
Orange blossom	Mar to Apr	Nectar	Moderate
Apple	Apr to May	Nectar + pollen	High
Pear	Apr	Nectar + pollen	High
Plum	Apr	Nectar + pollen	High
Sweet cherry	Apr to May	Nectar + pollen	High
Cantaloupe / melon	Jun to Aug	Nectar + pollen	High
Watermelon	Jun to Aug	Nectar + pollen	Essential

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