Spring Update 2025

 

9 years ago TODAY we were taking advantage of nice early Spring weather to paint our new hives as we began our journey into beekeeping. We've gotten a lot better but are still surprised by what the ladies do now and then -- a constant challenge!  So far this year we think we're on top of our game and here's an update on where things stand and where things (we think) go for 2025:

Firstly, we are kicking off our 2025 sales in about a week. Our first event will be the annual NHIPA in Ross Township.  I am warning everyone now:  WE ARE LOW ON SPRING HONEY.  If you're a devotee of the deeply sweet and light flavor of Spring honey and can come purchase at this event, you need to email us ASAP with your name and number/sizes of jars.  We are likely to sell out of Spring honey at this event.

Following this event we'll be able to see what our honey supplies look like and that will play a major role in decisions about other events throughout the Spring and early Summer.  Specifically, the Ross Township Farmer's Market-- as our next harvest is not until late July. After all, honey is an agricultural crop and we can't just "make more" on a whim and nothing is guaranteed other than what is already packed in jars for sale...  no jars, no sales!  So we'll see what's left after the NHIPA event and strategize from there.

We are already staking a claim on our same table from last Fall for the Christmas Spree, which is scheduled for November 7th and 8th this year.  For now, I'm posting LAST YEAR'S announcement below, since all the other info should be unchanged.

Alrighty, so an update on the bees themselves:

We last "left off" our story going into winter with four hives, but when we made a final check of their honey reserves we ended up combining the two weaker hives into one. That gave us three hives to overwinter. They've made it this far (and we had some extremely COLD spells this season, plus some moderate snows) and all three appear to be robust and actively bringing in pollen.

3/3/25 Winter hive check to see how the honeybees are lookinghttps://t.co/mkDpD7E5NO

— DandelionApiary (@DandelionApiary) March 3, 2025

Our first varrao mite treatment of the year was completed yesterday (oxalic vaporization) and we'll be revisiting the hives again very soon to de-winterize them and get ready for splits and honey supers. Generally speaking, the arrival of blooming dandelions marks the start of the season for the bees (hence our apiary name!) and we have fastidiously maintained a lawn that will give us ample notifications of dandelion bloomage. 

Follow our social media accounts:

https://www.facebook.com/DandelionApiary
https://twitter.com/DandelionApiary
https://www.instagram.com/dandelionapiary/
And there's a dedicated "BeeBurgh" playlist on YouTube here, with a look at our "operation":https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX9waTQBfaIvQn-oAVmlRBSsssiYCQ7Js&si=u4W_Q-DyFsyI73lv

We will continue to send out email updates a couple times a year as news warrants.  Remember that you can always email us to work out alternate delivery/pickup along the McKnight Road / Route 19 areas in the North Hills/Wexford or porch pickup at our house (near Shenot Farm in Wexford).  If we're home you don't even need to get out of your car-- we'll meet you out there if we know you're coming!

Consider joining our email list-- we will not spam you, we promise! What we will do is send out information regarding events we are scheduled to sell at, along with reminders when each season's harvest is ready for sale. For anyone looking for the limited availability stuff (like quart jars or comb honey) or who want to be first in  line, this is the list to be on-- email us to get on that list if you aren't already. 

Thank you everyone!