dumb question for someone in VT/NH area

[VTnewbee]

I'm kind of embarrased to ask this, but could someone in the VT/NH region tell me if we're in a big nectar flow right now?  :roll: Obviously, now that the never ending deluge of rain we were getting has stopped, things are really picking up in the hive, but I can't figure out if this is prime honey time, or if it's over or if it hasn't even begun?  I need to figure out if I should order another super!  Somewhere I saw a chart saying that we had 2 or 3 per year, but I can't find the site that gave that info so now I'm left wondering.  Thanks!

[BoBn]

Good question. 

It depends on your location and your local weather.  My bees are all over the milkweed right now.  I would guess that it is not as big of a flow as spring dandelion flow or late summer goldenrod / Asters, but I am seeing new nectar being processed in the hives.  Earlier in the summer, we had wild raspberry, basswood, sumac in bloom and white (Dutch) clover still in bloom.   

If you are near a wetland, you may have purple loosestrife.  If you have open fields in the area, you may have milkweed. Because VT & NH has varying terrain with lots of hills and valleys, local climate conditions and vegetation are radically different from one area to the next.

You should have at least 1 more super ready.  You will probably need it for goldenrod if not sooner.       

[Gregs]

Purple loosestrife and clover are all over the place here in Cornwall, VT. and my bees are going after it.

[VTnewbee]

Thanks to you both!  I'll get one more super just to be on the safe side.  Part of what makes this so difficult is that I can't figure out where in the heck my bees are going!  I have tons of white clover in my lawn, and milkweed all over the place at the moment but it's rare to see any of my bees on these things!  Wherever they're going they're finding something good because the nectar stores were looking good when I did the last inspection last weekend.  I'm also noticing a bit of robbing going on so hopefully that will not affect things too much.  In the past week I've seen the first goldenrod and sumac in bloom so I suppose things will just keep moving ahead for a while.