The Honey Is Coming!

Uh oh.....

This means work! The honey harvest is coming up next month. There are 6 supers on Cam's hive and 5 on Toby's. I think last year I had maybe 7 or 8 total. My back hurts just thinking about it. Stay tuned.

Harvesting Cut Comb Honey

The honey harvest starts this year with comb honey. 

This is the first of the five frames that Toby's bees made for us. 

Isn't it beautiful?

I cut squares of comb out of the frame with a metal stamper tool. They have to drain overnight so all of the honey leaks out of the open cells. 

After they finish dripping I place them very carefully into boxes for storage. It's a very sticky process.

Each one weighs a little over a pound. They go into the freezer next to prevent wax moth damage.

Batch #2!

The Leaning Tower of Supers

Holy cow! Cam's hive is going crazy right now. Up to six supers now which is one more than last year. 

Toby's hive has just three supers because I'm trying to convince them to make comb honey. Of course, things don't always go according to plan. It looks like they're trying to do anything but: the regular frames are getting huge and they're taking forever to finish capping the comb frames. Oh well. 

I had to get the step stool out to put the last box on. Not sure what I'll do if they fill that one.... I have an appointment with my chiropractor this week!