It has been a month since I have "mused" on these pages. A busy summer with some traveling,company, and building a small log cabin. I am still waiting for the slow 'dog days" of summer--will have to wait for them till February.
Our summer has certainly been cooler and wetter than the last few years. We really needed the help to replenish our water losses from the near drought conditions we have been experiencing.
The nectar flow started very strong here but the weather caused the bees to spend considerable time in the hives sipping honey and reading newspapers. This happened at just the wrong time for good honey production. If we dry up a bit and warm up, we still might have a good honey season.
Because I have been short of equipment (to many experiments going on) , I have done 3 small extractions from 3 supers,then put the "wet supers" back on the hive. About 30 quarts of honey that is a bit darker than usual but a great flavor.
After a fairly large number of swarms among Northern beekeepers, it has virtually stopped. Mine, crowded as they were, should have swarmed but didn't. Some years all is good with lots of room and they swarm like crazy--go figure!
Take time to smell the curing honey that is beginning to waft from the hives and as always spend some time just watching your bees.
Superior Bee Club meeting Aug 27th--see club page for details.
Our summer has certainly been cooler and wetter than the last few years. We really needed the help to replenish our water losses from the near drought conditions we have been experiencing.
The nectar flow started very strong here but the weather caused the bees to spend considerable time in the hives sipping honey and reading newspapers. This happened at just the wrong time for good honey production. If we dry up a bit and warm up, we still might have a good honey season.
Because I have been short of equipment (to many experiments going on) , I have done 3 small extractions from 3 supers,then put the "wet supers" back on the hive. About 30 quarts of honey that is a bit darker than usual but a great flavor.
After a fairly large number of swarms among Northern beekeepers, it has virtually stopped. Mine, crowded as they were, should have swarmed but didn't. Some years all is good with lots of room and they swarm like crazy--go figure!
Take time to smell the curing honey that is beginning to waft from the hives and as always spend some time just watching your bees.
Superior Bee Club meeting Aug 27th--see club page for details.
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