Honey plant flowering in Moscow
Beehive model calendar for a grid square of about 55 × 40 km around the city: 70 honey plants, main nectar flows from May to September. Dates are long-term averages; in a given year they shift by 1–2 weeks with the weather — the exact start of the flow is shown by scales under a control hive.
56.00° N, 37.50° E · square of about 55 × 40 km
Main nectar flows
- Winter oilseed rape
- peak May 20 – June 2
- Raspberry
- peak June 3 – June 28
- White clover
- peak June 4 – July 18
- Sainfoin
- peak June 10 – June 25
- Viper's bugloss
- peak June 18 – August 2
- Alsike clover
- peak June 23 – August 2
- Fireweed (rosebay willowherb)
- peak June 24 – July 29
- Spring oilseed rape
- peak June 28 – July 13
- Small-leaved lime
- peak June 28 – July 9
- Yellow sweet clover
- peak June 29 – August 13
- Lacy phacelia
- peak June 29 – July 17
- White sweet clover
- peak July 4 – August 18
- Common milkweed
- peak July 7 – August 4
- Buckwheat
- peak July 13 – August 4
- Heather (ling)
- peak July 23 – September 1
Flowering calendar
What blooms month by month
- March: Common hazel.
- April: Coltsfoot, Almond (likely), Goat willow, Rosemary (likely), Suffolk lungwort, Red maple (likely).
- May: Norway maple, Common dandelion, Sour cherry, Bilberry, Bird cherry, White dead-nettle, Apple (orchards), Common thyme (likely), Winter oilseed rape, Siberian peashrub, Rowan, Horse chestnut, Topped lavender (likely), Lingonberry, Black cherry (likely), Red clover.
- June: Black locust, Raspberry, White clover, Breckland thyme, Allegheny blackberry, Alder buckthorn, Sainfoin, Dalmatian sage (likely), Tulip tree (tulip poplar) (likely), Tufted vetch, Russian olive, Viper's bugloss, European dewberry, False indigo bush (likely), Alsike clover, White mustard, Fireweed (rosebay willowherb), Motherwort, Alfalfa, Spring oilseed rape, Small-leaved lime, Yellow sweet clover, Lacy phacelia.
- July: Sweet chestnut (likely), White sweet clover, Amur cork tree (likely), American basswood (likely), Common milkweed, Creeping thistle, Brown knapweed, Buckwheat, Amur linden (likely), Wild marjoram (oregano), Liquorice (likely), Purple loosestrife, Himalayan balsam, Heather (ling), Sunflower, Japanese angelica tree (likely), Siberian ginseng (likely).
- August: Lavender (likely), Silver lime (likely), Yellow star-thistle (likely), Canada goldenrod.
- September: Japanese knotweed.
- October: Common ivy (likely), Upland cotton (likely).
Frequently asked questions
When does Willow bloom in Moscow?
Peak flowering in Moscow is on average April 17 – April 28; first flowers from April 12, finishing around May 4. Key spring source of nectar and pollen for brood build-up; male trees give pollen, female ones nectar. Honey is light yellow, crystallises quickly and is mostly consumed by the colony.
When does Maple bloom in Moscow?
Peak flowering in Moscow is on average May 1 – May 10; first flowers from April 26, finishing around May 14. The best early-spring nectar source: in warm weather strong colonies gain weight, but bloom is short and often hit by cold spells. Honey is light, mild and crystallises quickly.
When does Winter rapeseed bloom in Moscow?
Peak flowering in Moscow is on average May 20 – June 2; first flowers from May 14, finishing around June 9. The first strong flow: daily gains above about +18 °C, colonies swarm readily. Honey is white and sets within 1–2 weeks even in the comb — extract as soon as bloom ends; beware insecticide spraying.
When does Lime bloom in Moscow?
Peak flowering in Moscow is on average June 28 – July 9; first flowers from June 25, finishing around July 14. The main flow of the region: in warm (+20–25 °C) humid weather gains reach 5–10 kg/day, but nectar nearly stops in drought or cold; heavy bloom is not annual. Light honey that sets fine-grained white in 1–3 months.
When does Buckwheat bloom in Moscow?
Peak flowering in Moscow is on average July 13 – August 4; first flowers from July 2, finishing around August 16. Sown in the second half of May it flowers in July–early August; secretes nectar only in the morning in warm humid weather, the flow vanishes in heat and drought. In practice 30–60 kg/ha in Belarus. Honey is dark brown, strong-tasting and sets quickly.
When does Fireweed bloom in Moscow?
Peak flowering in Moscow is on average June 24 – July 29; first flowers from June 14, finishing around August 20. The main late-summer flow of the forest zone; steady, long nectar secretion, best on 2–5-year-old clear-cuts. Honey is almost water-white and sets into a white, creamy mass.
When does Sunflower bloom in Moscow?
Peak flowering in Moscow is on average July 27 – August 12; first flowers from July 20, finishing around August 20. Gives nectar and plenty of pollen in late summer; modern hybrids are often poor in nectar. Golden-yellow honey that sets very fast.
When does Heather bloom in Moscow?
Peak flowering in Moscow is on average July 23 – September 1; first flowers from June 27, finishing around September 1. The last large flow in pine forests; secretes nectar on warm days after cool dewy nights. Honey is dark reddish-brown, jelly-like (thixotropic) and hard to extract; unsuitable as winter stores.
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