It has been a strange and challenging beginning for the bee season. We were installing bees in snow in late March and early April followed a month of cold weather. Dandelions were three weeks late in blooming. Following a short period of good foraging weather we started to rain. Record rain for June already. The bees did not store much. Kept the sugar water on.
When we finally got a break, the nectar flow seemed to have started in high gear - thistle, alfalfa, clovers all suddenly blooming. I have been surprised at how much honey I found in hives I needed to wade in order to inspect. Hives are strong. I have had a very active swarming season. Perhaps the bees used the unflyable days to make plans for swarming. We are late, but now flowing. Fingers crossed.
Larry Krengel
Illinois/Wisconsin boarder
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