Washington State Bee Keepers

[Dawn_SD]

@FUMDU

Should I harvest honey the first year?

I answered this on the the other thread where you asked. You really only need to ask a question once, because this forum is very efficient at making sure that everyone sees new questions!

New bees and honey question

It depends. You need to leave your bees with enough honey to overwinter successfully. Depending on the nectar flow and the productivity of your queen, you may or may not get enough food stores in the brood boxes to have an excess to harvest. It is very unpredictable. I think it is fair to say that you should not expect to harvest in the first year, but if you are lucky, you may be able to do so.