Tag Archives: pollinators

Economic Considerations of Growing Bee-Friendly Cover Crops in Almond Orchards: Grower and Beekeeper Perspectives

Authors: Marieke Fenton and Brittney Goodrich

View full publication here: s.giannini.ucop.edu/uploads/pub/2023/02/15/v26n3_3.pdf

Planting bee-friendly cover crops in almond orchards can improve honey bee colony health and lower beekeepers’ costs of feeding, while also providing soil health benefits. However, for the full bee-health benefits to be realized, growers must plant in the fall and receive timely rains or have access to irrigation between orchard rows. In this publication, the authors review benefits and considerations for both growers and beekeepers of this potentially mutually beneficial practice.… Read the rest

Green Manure and Cover Crops for the Pacific Northwest

This publication provides description and attributes of a range of cover crops for the Pacific Northwest that could be used to support pollinator habitat and address other conservation objectives such as erosion control, nutrient management and weed suppression.… Read the rest

Seeds for Bees Cover Cropping in Orchards

This free seed program encourages the use of cover crops to increase the density, diversity, and duration of bee forage in California orchards, farms, and vineyards, while improving soil health. The seed mixes are designed to bloom at critical times of the year when natural forage is scarce but managed and native bees are active… Read the rest