Me and a Coworker are getting into Beekeeping starting this year. We’ve Educated ourselves pretty well over the last few months and are going to start raising them on his land this year. Im not expecting to collect much honey, or any this first year, but would like educate myself further in the area specifics.
My reason for reaching out to Anyone in the area is what to expect for Wintering and when the Honey-flows for around here Begin/End. One last thing to tack on, in terms of predators or diseases what should I be looking for on brood inspections for our area?
I live SE of Seattle in the Cascades foothills but lived in the greater Portland area for one year. Portland n Seattle are rather similar. So here Goes !
Bees begin foraging on average about mid March (last year was about two weeks earlier) … Up here we start with Osoberry with a few early bulbs. Moving on we will see various Maple with dandelion in there someplace Also. Depending on the year the evergreen blackberry starts mid June n lasts into mid-July or later. Some mid October foraging can be seen. This late season bloom is English Ivy.
Now as for pests. You will find that Varroa Mites are #1 pests. Later in the summer depending on the summer wasps n yellow jackets can really be an issue as they rear young n get hungry. Mice can really rake havoc on low sitting hive chewing up comb n works (frames) big time.
This is just a quick overview from me. Hope it helps … Other locals might have addition thots n input that will be equally helpful.
Thanks for the reply Gerald! Any sort of information on the area is helpful for sure!
As Seattle overall tends to get more rain here have you had it affect your hives in any drastic way, or does it tend to just be a slower start to the year depending on if its a warm/rainy march?
One last question for you as your winters are also similar, how do you deal with the winterizing of your bees? I know the basics, but do you do any more or less comparatively?
Being so damp n colder this winter has made me do small quick top inspects to check n replace winter food patties. Our Fall was long n mild so the hive stayed later longer eating extra winter hiney supplies thus feeding more as honey is gone ! The colder n wetter winter our Spring bloom is far behind normal years thus needing to keep food available.
As for winterizing… I add a moisture quilt box to the top of each hive. The quilt had dry wood chips that help obsorb the condensation given off by the bees during the winter months. I also help a small commercial beekeeper. He uses just an obsorbent pad n not the quilt. That prevents moisture from collecting on the inner cover n raining back down on the bees. Wet bees don’t survive very long.
Hi Austin_Bryant
I live in SW Portland and have done some beekeeping with a Warre hive but have just received a Flow hive. I’m hoping to connect with others who have a Flow hive.
I hope this year has gone well for you and would love to connect.
Linda Logan
