Hello from Oregon (Portland Area). Curious as to why, if I am not harvesting honey the first year, would I even have the super in the mix vs. having a 2nd brood box?
Mike V
There’s no hard rule that you cannot harvest the first year - if the colony is strong going into a major flow then you can put another box on (brood or super).
You have to decide if you’re going to manage your bees over winter in a single or a double. Overwintering in a single likely entails feeding in the fall if you don’t have a strong fall flow. If you plan to overwinter in a double, then you want them to build it out and fill it up prior to the end of the flow. The bees don’t draw comb well in the fall, in my limited experience.
You should discuss with local beekeepers and decide which way you want to go based on the conflicting information you will get from your local beeks.
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