>
> 1) How do I know when it is the best time to remove the honey from the
> hives?   Is there any way to tell that the season is over, or is it
> best to just ask some local person who is more experienced?
>
 
After a season or five or ten you will learn to judge your seasons.
It's part of the "zen" of beekeeping.  However, it's ALWAYS best to ask
a local more experienced beekeeper.  I for one haven't a clue when (or
even if) the flora that yields a fall crop in my parts produces in Utah.
Furthermore, it varies from year to year and I can predict from New York
how the flow will be in Utah this year.  BEE-L is a great tool, but it
pales compared to local expertise.
 
> 2) I <fear with> a 4 frame extractor <that> the bulk of my small amount
> of honey will end up stuck on the side of the extractor.  Any comments?
>
 
Not a concern.  Try it, you'll see and you'll learn.  Congratulations
on your crop in your first year!  If I can remember that far back, I
don't believe I did that well.
 
Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee!