This week’s live Q&A focused on harvesting honey in wet weather using a Flow Hive. Cedar explained that because the hive doesn’t need to be opened, it is possible to harvest during light rain, although it’s best to harvest only one or two frames at a time before cold, wet weather to avoid excessive bearding while the bees repair the comb. He also discussed how much honey to leave for the bees, emphasising that this depends on local conditions and that new beekeepers should seek advice from experienced local beekeepers. Other harvesting topics included preventing bees from entering honey jars, how the Flow Frames work without harming bees, and the benefits of harvesting small amounts of honey as needed rather than removing the entire crop at once.
The session also covered a range of seasonal beekeeping topics, including managing chalkbrood, overwintering colonies, and the importance of leaving sufficient honey stores or supplementing with feed where necessary. Cedar recommended removing the queen excluder before winter in colder climates, insulating under the hive roof to reduce condensation, and consulting local beekeepers for region-specific advice. Additional discussions included the durability of Western Red Cedar hives, the purpose of the observation windows, why Flow Hives don’t require centrifugal extraction, the difference between raw and pasteurised honey, and how crystallised honey is a natural process rather than a sign that the honey has spoiled.