> > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Karen Oland" <[log in to unmask]> > > > > > > 8-12 Hives. Nothing else available at all, from mid-July until close > to > > > Sept > > > > (when goldenrod starts thinking about blooming). Would like pure > > > buckwheat > > > > flavor (and that nice nearly black color). Since you mention tulip poplars I assume you are located in the SE US? I have no experience with the growing conditions in that part of the country so I would recommend you contact your state extension service and see if buckwheat is a viable crop for your area. A good buckwheat site is http://www.muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/crops/g04306.htm but of course results would vary based on local growing conditions. I have no hard data as to how much acreage is required to support each hive so I can only suggest that you experiment. Your climate sounds a great deal like ours as we are normally in drought mode from early July until (maybe) as late as Nov. every year. We specialize in drought tolerate, hardy perennials and there are several which would fit your need to provide a nectar source under mid to late-season growing conditions, although for the most part they would qualify as "adding to the mix" rather than supplying a primary nectar source. You certainly have more than enough acreage available for an adequate buckwheat crop for your number of hives, assuming you were to plant the whole 10 acres and could get water to it during the dry periods. In our experience buckwheat is *not* very drought tolerant, but we have sandy loam soil which perks and dries out rapidly, and the plant may react differently under other growing conditions. I would be happy to share what little I know about buckwheat and drought-tolerant, bee-friendly plants on either a direct basis or over at sci.agriculture.beekeeping, but I'm not at all sure we are going to be well received by the august members here on Bee-L, who seem to prefer to pursue more technical matters. Please feel free to either open a new thread on sci.ag.bee or drop me an e-mail directly and I will talk your leg off about our experiences with nectar producing "dry time" plants. :-) Skip Skip & Christy Hensler THE ROCK GARDEN Newport, WA http://www.povn.com/rock/