This is probably a dumb question but, .....
After the mysterious disappearance of our bees over the "winter" we ordered two nucs as replacements to start over. They won't be available for pick up until April 28th. Due to the warm weather I may be harvesting fruit by that time. The blueberries, cherry trees, plum tree, spring weeds and nearly every tree are blooming. Will the bees be able to build up enough food stores if it's already summer by May in order to survive next winter.....if there is one?
Yes. You are starting the nucs off with drawn frames. You can feed in the fall if you need to.
You should be fine, just keep an eye on the stores later in the summer. I didnt get my 3 nucs till June 1 last year due to a rain filled spring and qeens that didnt take from the nuc supplier. They made enough food with a little help of feeding as well. Didnt take a honey crop but they should be very good this year for extra honey for me. Good Luck
J
I got two nucs last July and they overwintered beautifully. I boxed a swarm in mid to late August that were doing great until mother nature ripped off their lids and the cluster split before I realized what happened.
When I lived in Louisville I remember a good black locust and tulip poplar flow in the late spring. I am thinking you will be just fine.
There should be a fall flow of goldenrod and asters to help with late buildup.
Late summer splits can always be fed if needed.