Washington Nectar Flow & Bee Forage Calendar

What blooms for honey bees in Washington through the year, when the flow is on and when the dearth hits. Main flow Apr to Jul, fall flow Aug to Sep. Built from the Maritime Northwest region: 69 forage plants and crops, honey-bee-confirmed.

Washington: Your Beekeeping Year

Main flow Apr to Jul Dearth brief Fall flow Aug to Sep

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 Washington

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 Maritime Northwest (NPPBI 2022) · Xerces Maritime Northwest (NPPBI 2022); genus estimate from American Honey Plants · Xerces Maritime Northwest (NPPBI 2022); genus estimate from Plants for Bees · Xerces Maritime Northwest (NPPBI 2022); values from American Honey Plants · Xerces Maritime Northwest (NPPBI 2022); 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

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

Crop	Blooms	Bees get	Crop needs bees
Apple	Apr to May	Nectar + pollen	High
Highbush blueberry	Apr to May	Nectar + pollen	Essential
Pear	Apr	Nectar + pollen	High
Plum	Apr	Nectar + pollen	High
Strawberry	Apr to Jun	Nectar + pollen	Moderate
Sweet cherry	Apr to May	Nectar + pollen	High
Cranberry	Jun to Jul	Nectar + pollen	Essential

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