[SDCBeeks] Harvesting Honey

[jvazquez at mcn.org]

Hi Hugh, 

My first thought when I read your post was - is that the only honey in the
whole hive?

 

I cannot tell you how much to harvest or when the honey flow will stop,
perhaps someone else in the group will. 

One would think with the rain we've had there is plenty more yet to forage. 

 

The purpose of my reply is to encourage you to think of the bees too. 

How many frames of honey do they need to get through the winter? 

We are midway through the summer, and you are seeing two frames that will
probably turn into honey, and are thinking of taking one?

 

I know from living further north with bees that I tried to leave a minimum
of 12 frames for their winter stores, often more. Perhaps we don't need so
many frames in Santa Fe, but we can get a freeze that cuts off the fall
forage early and they could need to utilize their own food for many months
until blossoms start again in the spring.

 

How did it go last year for you and the bees? How many frames did you leave
them for the winter in each hive? How did it look at this time last summer?

Unfortunately, I lost my colonies to mites a few years ago, but I still am
interested in how things are going in the bee world.

 

With abundant thoughts for you & your bees, 

Julia

 

 

From: hive <hive-bounces at lists.sdcbeeks.org> On Behalf Of Hugh Schall
Sent: Sunday, July 14, 2024 11:27 AM
To: Sangre De Cristo Beekeepers <hive at sdcbeeks.org>
Subject: [SDCBeeks] Harvesting Honey

 

I have two top bar hives that are two years old.  Last week I harvested a
little honey from one, and noted that there were two frames with lots of
nectar.  I checked today both frames are full, but no capped honey.  How
late in the summer can I reasonable harvest honey in Santa Fe?  I am hoping
that in two to three weeks at least one of the frames will be capped.

 

Thanks,

Hugh

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