Will We Pull Honey This Year?

Beekeeping, like most things on a farm, keeps you humble. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the weather shifts, the bloom changes, or a queen decides she’s had enough and swarms.

But here we are, second season in, and the bees are thriving.

Despite a rain-heavy spring and some unexpected cool spells, our hive has remained queenright and strong. We’re running two deep brood boxes with a honey super on top, and as of our last inspection, the bees have filled out most of their space. The colony is active, healthy, and — knock on wood — free of pests.

🥒 And they’ve been busy.
If you’ve driven past the garden lately, you’ve likely seen the cucumber vines going wild, thanks in no small part to our pollinators. The bees have been working those blossoms like it’s their full-time job. And honestly? We’re not mad about it. More blooms mean more cukes, and more cukes mean… you guessed it: more pickles.

🐝So what about the honey?
We’ve had our eyes on the honey super, but for now, we’re holding off on harvesting. Our top priority is making sure the hive has what it needs for winter. We’re not in a rush to rob the pantry, especially when the girls are still building it out.

But if the weather holds, the nectar keeps flowing, and the colony stays strong?
There just might be a little golden reward in our future.

And even if we don’t pull a single drop, we’ve already won. Because watching this hive thrive; watching it recover from a rough spring, rebuild, and bloom right alongside the rest of the farm—that’s a kind of sweetness you don’t bottle.

🐝 Here’s to strong hives, blooming cucumbers, and maybe… just maybe… a little honey on the side.