Checking on the Our Hive Split
Yesterday we went out and checked our two hives. We wanted to make sure the old hive was still doing well and thriving, and they are (time to put on a new box for them).
We also wanted to make sure the new queen had been accepted and was going to work laying eggs and building the new hive, and she was. We were able to spot eggs, larvae and new capped brood in the new hive. That means our queen is hard at work and she’s no longer living in a tiny box, she’s got a whole hive to rule over.
Because we split our hive we won’t be able to harvest any honey this year. It’s the honey harvesting season right now, so we’ll be searching out a local beekeeper to buy some all-natural local honey from!
Do you buy local honey?
Filed under Bees, Beneficial, Insects, beekeeping | Comments (13)
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I use a LOT of honey, and we buy raw local honey from our co-op. I usually buy 5lbs at a time…some bees would be really nice for us! I love watching you progress with them…eventually I’d really love to have some!
Sherri´s last blog ..Status
to Sherri's comment
Yes! I get my honey from Jones Apiaries just a few miles from my home, and the taste, well… lets just say it leaves the honey from the store in the dust. The flavor is so much deeper and varied, and just perfect. I use only honey in all my baking (including bread) and any other time I need a sweetener, so quite a lot is bought!
Glad your hive split went well, reading about your progress really makes me appreciate how much work goes into making the honey I use so often.
Mangochild´s last blog ..Jam Making
to Mangochild's comment
We use a lot of honey as well, we’re looking for someone to buy quite a lot of local honey off of. We’re hoping to find someone who doesn’t treat their hives much and follows as beekeeping measures that are as organic as possible.
to Susy's comment
I would prefer local honey any day over the store bought kind. Eating local honey helps people who suffer from seasonal allergies. Congrats on the split! I bet you are looking forward to next year’s honey season now.
Dave´s last blog ..Two Plant Combinations
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I suppose you could try to catch a fall flow if you really wanted some really local honey this year. I usually leave that for the bees, but if you don’t mind feeding some, you could take a fall flow
warren´s last blog ..It’s garlicky
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Since we’re trying to be as natural as possible in keeping our bees, we’ll probably just buy from a local friend. We are feeding the new split right now to help strengthen the hive, it seems to be doing well though. And our original hive is still thriving.
to Susy's comment
We love our local source of raw honey…so tasty!
Pampered Mom´s last blog ..The Cat Palace
to Pampered Mom's comment
There’s a honey CSA a town over from us, but we didn’t get in this year. We buy honey from a local apiary that comes to the farmer’s market every other week. It’s cheaper than buying it at the store, and I get to talk to the beekeeper! There’s another local apiary that is one of the travelling ones – they have blueberry honey from Maine and cranberry honey from Nantucket! When I’m desperate in the winter and have run out, I buy honey from farm stands – they often have honey from local sources.
You’re sure to be swimming in it next year!
Jennifer´s last blog ..Minty Fresh
to Jennifer's comment
My girlfriend Janet, who , got me into being a beekeeper (just started in June) was my honey supplier. She says I might have a little honey to harvest out of the 2 hives this year but I am trying not to look forward to it so I won’t be disappointed if it doesn’t happen! We will put our second brood box on next week so they have a ways to go yet!
blessings
mary
Mary´s last blog ..Free Paint!
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Susy, you will be proud of me – we usually try too – one of Charlie’s co-workers has bees! Maybe next year we can try some of yours!!
Kelly´s last blog ..MORE Wiggles!!
to Kelly's comment
I’m going to go check again this week — maybe it’s time to harvest. I’d love to get it all cleaned up before the summer is over. On the other hand, maybe that boomer hive will need another box.
I must sell a hive this year — there has to be someone who wants one — I’m committed to hosting only two in the yard. But they keep splitting! Next spring, I think I’ll sell some nucs. What do you do with the geometric increases?
stefaneener´s last blog ..What was I thinking?
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We try to shy away from too much sugar (of any variety) in our home, but we do use local honey for a variety of reasons…
Local honey just tastes better than the store-bought varieties.
I too have read reports that eating local honey helps people who suffer from seasonal allergies. And similarly, I’ve read numerous articles in parenting magazines about local honey’s benefits for bolstering kids’ immune systems.
We have very limited access to locally-grown produce & such. There’s a very small Famers’ Market in a neighboring city that we make it over to about once every 6-8 weeks. Honestly, it’s kinda new and the offerings are pretty limited, so it’s almost not worth the considerable effort to plan a trip over. But still, I like to support our regional farmers & ranchers wherever possible. (I’m oh so envious of communities that have thriving, robust Farmers’ Markets that are buzzing little hubs of activity on the weekends.)
Lastly, my Granddad & Mom were both hobbyist beekeepers, so it warms my heart to support others like them. I know if was a labor of love for both of them, but I also recall it being quite a lot of effort for very little profit since they gave away most of their honey to family & friends.
Rob O.´s last blog ..Can Apple Save Handwriting?
to Rob O.'s comment
Our farmer’s market used to be a very small one with not many vendors 7 years ago when we first moved here. The last couple years it’s been booming and there are more vendors and buyers there each weekend. I love going and seeing all the locals supporting the local economy!
to Susy's comment