I'm a total rookie this year, besides having helped my grandparents slightly many, many years ago here and there with their hives. My situation is different than most, I live 7.5 hours away from my two hives, so only saw them a couple of times. Aside from pollen patties, they were on their own. No sugar water daily, just them being busy bees. With that said, I'm happy to get any honey this year.
Unfortunately both grandparents passed away this year, but I wanted to revive a hive tradition they did for many years, one of the hives was with their equipment. I loved the honey they got because on their 0.8 acres they have multiple apple trees, several different kinds of plum trees, a pear tree, blackberries, plus whatever stuff the neighbors have in their garden. Their honey was always amazingly good.
Checked on them several times this year, new pollen patties when I came out each time. One hive (the all brand new equipment with 10" supers) didn't have any for me to take from the top super, but the second one had a great supply that will help them through winter. The older hive, with one new 8" super, is where I got 5 frames from. Did talk to the neighbor about a partnership where they supply the sugar water this winter and spring, we use all of my stuff and bees, then split the honey in a year. Is a possibility.
Older photo from earlier this summer. There was another 8" frame on the older hive that I got most of the honey from.
Five 8" frames
Since there's only five frames I'm doing it this way
Once again, the best honey I've ever tasted - and not because it's mine or came from their property. All those fruit trees make a difference. Will let it strain overnight and go from there.
Unfortunately both grandparents passed away this year, but I wanted to revive a hive tradition they did for many years, one of the hives was with their equipment. I loved the honey they got because on their 0.8 acres they have multiple apple trees, several different kinds of plum trees, a pear tree, blackberries, plus whatever stuff the neighbors have in their garden. Their honey was always amazingly good.
Checked on them several times this year, new pollen patties when I came out each time. One hive (the all brand new equipment with 10" supers) didn't have any for me to take from the top super, but the second one had a great supply that will help them through winter. The older hive, with one new 8" super, is where I got 5 frames from. Did talk to the neighbor about a partnership where they supply the sugar water this winter and spring, we use all of my stuff and bees, then split the honey in a year. Is a possibility.
Older photo from earlier this summer. There was another 8" frame on the older hive that I got most of the honey from.
Five 8" frames
Since there's only five frames I'm doing it this way
Once again, the best honey I've ever tasted - and not because it's mine or came from their property. All those fruit trees make a difference. Will let it strain overnight and go from there.
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