LOCAL RESOURCES

Each honeybee colony has a 2-mile foraging range. That means if you live within 2 miles of a honeybee colony, then you are already a Bee Food Farmer! Honeybees need food from flowers throughout the growing season (February-October) to feed their young, fight diseases, and make enough honey in excess for beekeepers to harvest. Whether you have your own honeybees or you get honey from a local beekeeper, you should plant a crop of food for the honeybees. 

Do you want to keep honeybees?

1. Be a Bee Food Farmer. Grow plants that produce nectar and pollen for honeybees. 

2. Learn about Honeybees. Take a beekeeping class through the Northeast Oklahoma Beekeeping Association (NEOBA) or online through the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Extension agency. 

3. Volunteer with a beekeeper. Get hands-on experience with a NEOBA mentor or volunteer on-site at the BeeLoved Trading apiary. 

4. Trap a feral swarm. Do you see honey bees on your flowers? If so, then there are already honey bees in your area. Set up a swarm trap and get some free bees! Reducing unmanaged feral honeybee colonies will benefit honeybees and native pollinators by reducing the competition for food. 

5. Get stung! If you, or your family are allergic to bee stings, then you should not keep honeybees at your property. Children and pets are especially curious about bee hives and the hives should be kept out of reach. 

6. Take notes. Keeping bees requires monthly inspections and quality notes. This means that you will need to suit up and check on the bees, even when it is 100F outside. If you are not able to check your bees regularly, then you should instead volunteer to help a current beekeeper with their bees. 

7. Feed your bees. Beekeeping requires that you understand if your bees have enough food (nectar and pollen), if they do not have enough then you must feed them, or they will starve. Feeding is required when there are no flowers in bloom.

8. Know your bugs. Beekeeping requires that you know the other insects within and around your hive. Some insects are considered pests to honeybees and others do no harm. Know the difference!
   

Throughout the spring months, lawn flowers provide a significant amount of pollen and nectar for honeybees. OSU Extension has published a list of Nectar and Pollen Plants of Oklahoma (Rebek & Mulder, 2017) that has 27 different plants and their dates of bloom such as trees (Maples, Redbuds, and Elms), and common lawn flowers (Lawn clover, Dandelion, and Bindweed) and flowers that bloom throughout the hottest and driest parts of the summer  (Beebalm, Sunflower, and Vitex).

The Oklahoma State University (OSU) Master Gardener program provides a range of services to the public, focusing on gardening education and support. Here is a list of key services they offer:

1. Garden Advice Helplines: Master Gardeners offer phone and email support to answer gardening questions on plant selection, pest management, and general gardening care.

2. Community Workshops: Regular workshops and demonstrations on topics such as vegetable gardening, landscaping, composting, and water conservation are offered to the public.

3. Soil Testing: The program assists in soil sampling and interpreting soil test results, helping gardeners improve soil health and optimize plant growth.

4. Plant Clinics: Master Gardeners hold plant clinics at local events and farmer’s markets, where they diagnose plant diseases, identify pests, and provide treatment recommendations.

5. Garden Tours: Guided tours of demonstration gardens are available to showcase sustainable gardening techniques and native plant varieties suited for Oklahoma’s climate.

6. School and Youth Programs: Master Gardeners provide gardening education to schools and youth groups, teaching basic horticulture and the benefits of growing plants.

7. Publications and Educational Materials: They produce and distribute fact sheets, brochures, and online resources on a wide range of gardening topics.

8. Community Garden Assistance: Master Gardeners assist in establishing and maintaining community gardens, offering expertise in layout, crop rotation, and maintenance practices.

9. Seasonal Gardening Tips: The program provides seasonal advice and tips to the public through newsletters, social media, and local media outlets, covering timely gardening topics.

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