community in Florida
Honey bee forage in Iona, Florida
Estimated forage here is better than about 77% of sites in Florida. Against other Florida sites it stands out most in summer (91st percentile) and lowest in spring (48th). Expect a dearth from early Oct to late Nov.
When is the honey flow in Iona?
- First forage: Jan 1 (dandelion, clovers: white, alsike and red)
- Main flow: Jan 1 to Mar 31, peaking late Jan (clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion)
- Dearth: Oct 1 to Nov 30
- Fall flow: Jun 1 to Dec 31 (garden flowers, dandelion, clovers: white, alsike and red)
- Season ends: Dec 31
Forage available to a colony through the year at the center of Iona, 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 Jan 28.
What the honey is made of
- Spring honey (March to June): clovers: white, alsike and red, dandelion, garden flowers, summer-flowering shrubs; extra light amber, likely to set over some months
- Summer honey (July and August): garden flowers
- Fall honey (September to November): garden flowers, early trees (maple, willow, poplar), fall wildflowers (goldenrod, aster); amber
- Whole season (March to November): clovers: white, alsike and red, garden flowers, dandelion, summer-flowering shrubs; 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 Iona
Mostly: Open water; Caribbean Coastal Mangrove; Developed, medium intensity.
Nearest mapped water: pond, lake or river 0 mi S; open water 0 mi S.
Things to watch
- Heavily developed. About 90% of the land within a mile is developed. Less room for forage, and more neighbors near the hives.
How Iona ranks
| Against random land in | Overall | Spring | Summer | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental US | 78th | 63rd | 25th | 46th |
| Florida | 77th | 48th | 91st | 65th |
| Southern Coastal Plain | 78th | 41st | 90th | 70th |
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 Iona: darker is more forage. Tap anywhere to check that exact spot.
Nearby
Harlem Heights 2 mi · Punta Rassa 3 mi · Cypress Lake 4 mi · McGregor 4 mi · Whiskey Creek 6 mi · Villas 6 mi
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 Iona (26.5172, -81.9608); 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.