BYC Café

[Ladies-Eight]

We went to a bee club meeting last night. I had a question about weeds in my garden that are either in bloom or about to bloom. Do the honey bees like these, and should I leave them, or get them out of the garden, since they're spreading everywhere in our (too) warm spring? Unfortunately, the person who could have answered had already left (early), so by the time we got to the "questions?" part at the end, he was gone.

I've been looking online, but I'd really prefer hearing from someone who lives in my area and has the same weeds.

Just in case anyone here knows, here are pictures of the weeds.
This is hairy bittercress
View attachment 3765746
This is chickweed, aka, mouse ear.
View attachment 3765751

This is Speedwell, aka, Veronica
View attachment 3765757

Those look like the weeds I give to my chickens.

They love them.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Cafe good morning one and all!

Tea is ready.

Temperature is in the 70s and sunny.

Have a great day!

 

[Sally PB]

I hate this stuff, so prolifically invasive...tho it is kinda cool how the seeds explode all over.

I have it ev.er.y.where. I would leave it for the bees, if they like it. We're in a "dearth" right now, since there isn't much of anything in bloom. Then, after it flowers, I'd yank it all out.

Those look like the weeds I give to my chickens.

They love them.

My chickens have been getting buckets of weeds! These three, and some other things I don't know the names of.

My garlic is 2" tall right now. I'm a bit worried about it and the fruit trees.

 

[Sally PB]

So far, it seems that the Speedwell might be of use to the bees. It gets to stay. There are LOTS of plants that are in the Veronica family, and most of them are not this particular little weed.

A lot of sites give information about "pollinators" in general, but I'm looking for info on honeybees.

I planted bee balm, and found that the bumble bees and yellow jackets liked it, but my honey bees didn't visit it at all. I asked one of the experts at a club meeting, and he said it's because the throat of the flower is too long, so honey bees can't access the nectar.

I don't mind helping the bumble bees, but I will not aid the yellow jackets!

At the meeting last night, someone said, "If you pound a stake into the ground in Michigan, chances are good there is a yellow jacket nest within 100 feet."

 

[Mtn Margie]

So, farm chores. They include digging a grave for one of my grand-dogs that really loved it up here. Fortunately, the breezes cleared the snow off of the area and the past couple of days have warmed the soil a bit so the digging was okay except for the rocks. Guarding the chickens but not near our cats that ate dogs for lunch.
Respect!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Good Morning Cafe, brought more coffee to share.

 

[DobieLover]

This housemate of yours comes quite useful it seems.

He really is. He'd be perfect if he could learn how to leave the TP on the holder or at least put it back on in the correct direction!

 

[aart]

I have it ev.er.y.where. I would leave it for the bees, if they like it. We're in a "dearth" right now, since there isn't much of anything in bloom. Then, after it flowers, I'd yank it all out.

The flowers are so small I wouldn't think the bees would get much out of it.
Between flowering and seeding is pretty short and it's hard to pull.

 

[LaFleche]

digging a grave for one of my grand-dogs that really loved it up here.

Sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[LaFleche]

He really is. He'd be perfect if he could learn how to leave the TP on the holder or at least put it back on in the correct direction!

Maybe just set up another one just for him to use and he might leave yours alone!