9/30/2019
News from Country Honey
The main honey flow around our Southern Tier home comes from the goldenrod which blooms in September. By mid- August our bees were looking great, the best they’d looked in years. We’re all dependent on the weather though; honey bees are no exception. And the forecast for September was for high temperatures in the sixties; NOT GOOD! In early September there was no nectar coming in. Many hives were actually getting lighter. Fortunately the weather didn’t follow the forecast and when the temperature rose so too did the honey flow. The colonies are fat and happy, and there’s plenty of surplus for us to pull from the hives, to extract and bottle. A lot of good work to look forward to, and then some contentment in the winter as we prepare for the Spring.
There’s change in the wind here. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve been able to collaborate for the last eleven years with a beekeeper from Bristol Springs NY. Aside from being an accomplished and caring beekeeper (and what a great dad!) Trevor has also become a good friend. While my colonies forage in excellent Fall honey country, his are in some really great Summer honey territory. Our intention is to work together going forward. This will better ensure the honey supply for our customers. Also, as I’m getting old, this allows me to continue to do the good work that I’ve been fortunate to be able to do, and, in time, to pass this on to a caring, capable beekeeper and friend. It’s win/win. And that’s as good as it gets.
News from Country Honey
The main honey flow around our Southern Tier home comes from the goldenrod which blooms in September. By mid- August our bees were looking great, the best they’d looked in years. We’re all dependent on the weather though; honey bees are no exception. And the forecast for September was for high temperatures in the sixties; NOT GOOD! In early September there was no nectar coming in. Many hives were actually getting lighter. Fortunately the weather didn’t follow the forecast and when the temperature rose so too did the honey flow. The colonies are fat and happy, and there’s plenty of surplus for us to pull from the hives, to extract and bottle. A lot of good work to look forward to, and then some contentment in the winter as we prepare for the Spring.
There’s change in the wind here. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve been able to collaborate for the last eleven years with a beekeeper from Bristol Springs NY. Aside from being an accomplished and caring beekeeper (and what a great dad!) Trevor has also become a good friend. While my colonies forage in excellent Fall honey country, his are in some really great Summer honey territory. Our intention is to work together going forward. This will better ensure the honey supply for our customers. Also, as I’m getting old, this allows me to continue to do the good work that I’ve been fortunate to be able to do, and, in time, to pass this on to a caring, capable beekeeper and friend. It’s win/win. And that’s as good as it gets.