community in California
Honey bee forage in University of California-Davis, California
Estimated forage here is better than about 84% of sites in California. Against other California sites it stands out most in spring (78th percentile) and lowest in fall (52nd). Biggest nearby bee crops: sunflower (nearest 0.7 mi SE, grown 2 of the last 5 years); almonds (nearest 0.4 mi NW); alfalfa (nearest 1.6 mi S, grown 2 of the last 5 years).
When is the honey flow in University of California-Davis?
- First forage: Jan 16 (dandelion, maples, clovers: white, alsike and red)
- Main flow: Feb 1 to Mar 31, peaking early Mar (dandelion, clovers: white, alsike and red, almonds)
- Fall flow: Apr 16 to Jun 30 (sunflower, clovers: white, alsike and red)
- Season ends: Sep 30
Forage available to a colony through the year at the center of University of California-Davis, 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 2.
What the honey is made of
- Spring honey (March to June): sunflower, clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion, alfalfa; light amber, mixed: part of it sets quickly, part stays liquid
- Summer honey (July and August): garden flowers, clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion; extra light amber, mixed: part of it sets quickly, part stays liquid
- Fall honey (September to November): garden flowers
- Whole season (March to November): sunflower, clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion, garden flowers; light amber, mixed: part of it sets quickly, part stays liquid
Nectar-source estimate (plants weighted by how much bees favor them), not a pollen analysis. Full honey estimate.
Bee crops within flight range
- Sunflower: about 251 acres in a typical year, nearest 0.7 mi SE, blooms late Apr – late Jun (grown 2 of the last 5 years)
- Almonds: about 86 acres in a typical year, nearest 0.8 mi S, blooms early Feb – late Mar
From USDA's crop maps for 2021–2025; fields rotate, so a crop counts by how often it was grown. Listing a field says nothing about its owner.
The land and water around University of California-Davis
Mostly: Almonds; Developed, medium intensity; Walnuts.
Nearest mapped water: pond, lake or river 0.34 mi S; mapped stream or canal (may be dry in late summer) 0.41 mi SE.
Things to watch
- Heavily developed. About 74% of the land within a mile is developed. Less room for forage, and more neighbors near the hives.
How University of California-Davis ranks
| Against random land in | Overall | Spring | Summer | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental US | 89th | 97th | 48th | 26th |
| California | 84th | 78th | 74th | 52nd |
| Central California Valley | 46th | 47th | 82nd | 79th |
Percentiles among 3,000 random land points in each region, scored the same way: land in general, not beekeepers' apiaries.
The national forage map around University of California-Davis: darker is more forage. Tap anywhere to check that exact spot.
Nearby
Davis 2 mi · El Macero 4 mi · Dixon 7 mi · Woodland 9 mi · Monument Hills 11 mi · West Sacramento 11 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 University of California-Davis (38.5377, -121.7579); 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.