Fun Facts About Goldenrod
Have you ever walked past your beehive in late fall and wondered, "what's that smell?"
It most likely is the Goldenrod flower.
The nectar from Goldenrod has a very pungent smell that most people liken to stinky, musty, gym socks.
Luckily, the honey tastes nothing like it.
In fact, there are many beekeepers out there that say that Goldenrod honey is their favorite of them all.
Goldenrod is one of the last plants to have nectar for the year and it comes in massive quantities across the United States.
It's nature's final push to feed the bees.
Many new beekeepers smell the rank scent of the processing nectar and assume that it must be American Foul Brood (AFB) or some kind of disease that is festering in their hive.
Rest assured, there's a distinct difference between the smell of Goldenrod and AFB. There are also many other signs to look for when it comes to AFB.
AFB smells like something died in your hive. It also would show some symptoms on the brood caps. Look for discoloration, holes in them, or if they look a bit shrunken. If you see these signs, you may want to open up a couple of the brood. If brown goo is inside, Google the "toothpick test" and call your local inspector if necessary.
Planting Requirements For Goldenrod
Light: This plant will survive just about anywhere, though it does prefer to be grown in full sun.
Soil: Goldenrod tolerates various soil types as long as it's well-draining.
Spacing: Goldenrods are far from small plants, and they need adequate space between each of the plants. It’s best to space them 1-3 feet apart, depending on the variety you selected.
Planting Time: They can be sown directly outdoors in fall or spring or started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date. If you plant the seeds in late fall or early winter, they will begin to germinate when the temperatures warm the following spring.
Zones: It's native to North America and is hardy from zones 4 to 9.
Time of Bloom: Goldenrod usually blooms from the end of summer through mid-October.