community in California
Honey bee forage in Catheys Valley, California
Estimated forage here is better than about 95% of sites in California. Spring, summer and fall all rank about the same against other California sites. Nearest mapped water: mapped stream or canal (may be dry in late summer), less than 0.1 mi away.
When is the honey flow in Catheys Valley?
- First forage: Jan 16 (roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard))
- Main flow: Feb 1 to Jun 30, peaking late Mar (roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard))
- Season ends: Aug 15
Forage available to a colony through the year at the center of Catheys Valley, from what grows within flight range (about 3.7 miles) and when it blooms here. Dates are the model's estimate for a typical year; the spring index for this spot falls on Mar 9.
What the honey is made of
- Spring honey (March to June): roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard); extra light amber, likely to set over some months
- Summer honey (July and August): roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), fall wildflowers (goldenrod, aster); extra light amber, likely to set over some months
- Fall honey (September to November): fall wildflowers (goldenrod, aster); amber
- Whole season (March to November): roadside weeds (clover, dandelion, sweet clover, mustard), fall wildflowers (goldenrod, aster); extra light amber, likely to set over some months
Nectar-source estimate (plants weighted by how much bees favor them), not a pollen analysis. Full honey estimate.
Bee crops within flight range
No rated bee crops within about 3.7 miles of the town center. The forage here is wild plants, trees and gardens.
The land and water around Catheys Valley
Mostly: California Ruderal Grassland and Meadow; California Lower Montane Foothill Pine Woodland and Savanna; California Lower Montane Blue Oak Woodland and Savanna.
Nearest mapped water: mapped stream or canal (may be dry in late summer) 0.02 mi N; creek, wetland or wet meadow 0.08 mi NW.
How Catheys Valley ranks
| Against random land in | Overall | Spring | Summer | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental US | 99th | 99th | 69th | 53rd |
| California | 95th | 96th | 95th | 87th |
| Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains | 91st | 92nd | 95th | 82nd |
Percentiles among 3,000 random land points in each region, scored the same way: land in general, not beekeepers' apiaries.
About 92% of the land here is scored with national averages for its vegetation type rather than measured plant cover, so the wild-plant part of this estimate is rougher than the crop part.
The national forage map around Catheys Valley: darker is more forage. Tap anywhere to check that exact spot.
Nearby
Mt. Bullion 6 mi · Mariposa 8 mi · Hornitos 9 mi · Bear Valley 10 mi · Bootjack 12 mi · Midpines 13 mi
All towns in California · National map · How the scoring works
An estimate from public maps (USDA crop maps 2021–2025 averaged, LANDFIRE vegetation), not a survey of the ground. Maps can't see garden plantings, understory density, other beekeepers' hives, or this year's weather. The point is the Census Bureau's published center of Catheys Valley (37.4277, -120.096); a yard a mile or two away can differ, so check your own spot. The FEMA flood map was not checked for this page. Benchmark 2026.5, built 2026-10-19. How this works · All sources.