Phase 1: Before Bloom — Preparation & Logistics

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Communication & Planning

Communication is key! Clear communication before bloom sets expectations and can prevent costly missteps once bees are placed.

• Identify and establish a primary point of contact (POC). Ensure all contact information is current and shared.
• Communicate early and often about access, hive placement, pesticide practices, and available forage or water sources.

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Site Preparation & Access

To ensure ease of access for your beekeeper, double check that all orchard access points and hive placement areas are clear of debris, weeds, and equipment.

• Confirm roads can support beekeeper vehicles, even during wet or muddy conditions.
• Maintain access throughout bloom so beekeepers can inspect and service their livestock as needed.
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Forage & Nutrition (Cover Crops)

Once mistakenly considered competition, cover crops are now recognized as a critical asset for pollination success and soil health. They:

• Kickstart brood production and bridge the nutritional gap between hive placement and full bloom
• Provide high-quality protein for sustained bee and brood health
• Improve pollination efficacy
• Fix nitrogen in the soil (up to ~80 lbs/acre, depending on species)
• Improve soil stability and water infiltration

Recommended cover crop groups include:

• Brassicas: Yellow/white mustard, canola, daikon radish
• Legumes: Crimson or subterranean clover, vetch, medics
• Grasses: Brome, triticale, barley

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Water Sources

Provide clean, reliable water sources for bees. They get thirsty, too! Make sure to position water away from pesticide runoff to prevent contamination and protect colony health.

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Phase 2: During Bloom — Operational Execution

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Hive Placement

Prioritize southern or eastern exposure in open, sunny areas. Early morning sunlight encourages earlier bee flight, which is critical as almond anthers dehisce (release pollen) when humidity drops. Research shows south and east-facing hives provide an average of 44.2 additional minutes of bee flight time compared to west-facing hives, significantly improving pollination and nut set.

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Access Maintenance

Keep access routes open and unobstructed throughout bloom to allow beekeepers to service hives as needed.

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Pesticide Stewardship

Protecting bees during bloom is non-negotiable. Here are some tips to help keep them happy and healthy:

• No foliar applications during active bee flight, including fungicides.
• Avoid adjuvants, which can increase pesticide toxicity to bees.
• Never tank-mix insecticides and fungicides, the synergistic effects can be catastrophic to hive health.
• Communicate all planned applications to the designated point of contact in advance.

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Phase 3: After Bloom — Review & Future Planning

Post-bloom evaluation helps translate this season’s outcomes into smarter decisions for the next.

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Post-Bloom Orchard Assessment

After bloom, conduct a visual walkthrough to evaluate early nut set across blocks. Identify areas of soil compaction or low spots where water pooled and assess tree health in these areas to understand potential impacts on yield. These conditions can influence bee movement, forage availability, and overall pollination efficacy and should be factored into hive placement decisions in future seasons.

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Pollination Outcome Review

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Data Analysis

Once yield and set data become available, review pollination performance by block to better understand what worked and where adjustments may be needed.

• Analyze final yield data by block to evaluate pollination success
• Assess whether hive placement locations and orientations were optimal based on the resulting nut set
• Determine whether hive numbers per acre were sufficient for bloom intensity

Process Refinement

• Review placement timing, locations, and removal schedules for potential improvement
• Refine communication protocols with beekeepers using lessons learned from the season

This review helps separate environmental challenges from logistical variables that can be optimized.

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Habitat & Forage Planning for Next Season

Post-bloom is also an ideal time to evaluate habitat strategies and plan improvements for the year ahead. If cover crops were used, assess their performance and impact on bee activity, soil health, and water infiltration. If cover crops are not yet part of your system, consider whether they could play a role in supporting pollination and long-term orchard health.

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Interested in implementing or expanding cover crops? BeeHero may be able to help offset associated costs through partner programs. Reaching out early allows time to plan species selection and establishment ahead of the next bloom. Contact the BeeHero team to learn more about available options.

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Ready to Optimize Your Pollination Strategy?

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Planning ahead for next season and looking to improve pollination outcomes? BeeHero is here to help. Connect with our team to explore how precision pollination can maximize crop potential and reduce costs for your operation.

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