I am too proud and excited not to share.
I ended up using a deep super because last year the bees never moved into the medium super. This year by using a deep I was able to move a few frames up, which helped them move in. Also I think it helped with swarm prevention as there was lots of space in the brood chamber for laying in the new empty frames (last year i had a problem with repeated swarming).
Anyway. 6 deep frames were full and 4 I left them in there. I extracted 2.5 gallons (a friend came over with his extractor which helped a great deal). I think I will extract again at the end of August as the clover here seems to be everywhere this year.
My family uses a bit more than 1 gallon per year. I think I am set for Xmas presents to friends and family this year :)
Quote from: rgennaro on July 16, 2020, 12:55:25 PM
I am too proud and excited not to share.
I ended up using a deep super because last year the bees never moved into the medium super. This year by using a deep I was able to move a few frames up, which helped them move in. Also I think it helped with swarm prevention as there was lots of space in the brood chamber for laying in the new empty frames (last year i had a problem with repeated swarming).
Anyway. 6 deep frames were full and 4 I left them in there. I extracted 2.5 gallons (a friend came over with his extractor which helped a great deal). I think I will extract again at the end of August as the clover here seems to be everywhere this year.
My family uses a bit more than 1 gallon per year. I think I am set for Xmas presents to friends and family this year :)
Congratulations!
Very nice. Congrats.
Awesome, I got about the same myself
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Congratulations! That is awesome! There is nothing like that first harvest. :happy:
The first harvest is always good gifts to give to friends and family. :grin:
Quote from: rgennaro on July 16, 2020, 12:55:25 PM
I think I will extract again at the end of August as the clover here seems to be everywhere this year.
Just a thought: They may consume 4 frames of honey raising winter bees in August. Don't leave them short. There may be enough goldenrod to get them through but that is a crap shoot.
Thanks for the suggestion. My bees have always overwintered in 2 deeps (10 frame) but this the first time I harvested. The brood chamber felt much lighter so I expect most of their honey was in the super. I have not done a proper inspection in weeks but I plan to do one next week and see what the situation is. In September when I will remove the extra super I plan to leave them with the fullest frames of honey between all the ones I have. I definitely don?t want to leave them short.
Just keep this in mind: It is hard to organize the hive they way they like it so give them time to undo or redo what you have done before winter.