I was reading George Imrie's pink sheets this evening and noticed that Maryland honey production was totally over in June with the bulk of the production occurring in May. I am in Southern Missouri and entering my first season. How long do the bees produce honey in this area, and when do you all think I should pull any supers? Truthfully, I am not at all convinced that my new packages and hive will produce any honey this year given their state of growth, but this is fine with me provieded that I can ensure they have enough to overwinter. Any advice is appreciated.
I would think that with the amount of rain you guys have had down there that you will have plants that produce something just about all summer. We are in east central MO and have had more rain than we have had in several years, and you have had double that in SW MO. Keep adding supers as they fill the ones already on, until they don't fill anymore. There is a fellow in Bowling Green that pulled over 125 pounds from a package hive the first year when it rained a lot. Of course that is the exception and he probably had a tremendous queen. I just checked our hives this morning and all but one has at least one super just about filled and capped. Two have 2 filled already and capped. You will do just fine this year!
Dennis
Rain, in moderation, lets the plants draw moisture it can use as nectar to attract pollinators. Lots of rain with few, if any, sunny days like we're currently having in parts of the PNW can cause the same thing as a dearth or drought. The bees use up their stores waiting for weather to forage and die out due to starvation. I just spent the entire day tearing down 3 hives I lost that way, I did manage to save 2. Needless to say, I'm feeding in June because we're having January weather.
Brian, I saw the posts by you and Kathyp about the tough time you are having up there. I am sorry to hear it, but look at this way; at least you noticed the problem and are taking steps to address it. If it were me, I would likely not recognize what was happening until it was too late and I had learned the hard way. Good luck with your efforts.