Heather honey

[Bear]

Any guide as to get heather honey. I know it’s getting on in the year but I have access to a heather clad hill and am thinking about it. I have drawn wireless comb and even tho I’d only get a couple of weeks I am thinking about it as two weeks of flowers Is better than none. Anything specific or special in setting up hives on heather?

 

[Poly Hive]

Very strong hives.

Shelter, look for bracken.

Access.

Security.

PH (good luck)

 

[Beefriendly]

As above but factor in weather. Look for walls and put hives on the side the wind blows least....
On the Nth Yorks moors it's looking to be the worst heather harvest for years due to the bad weather in August. Only hope is all the rain and the heather is still pink and yielding.

 

[gregior]

I don't know much about the heather but the weather is looking like it's going to really pick up from the weekend so i'd say go for it!

 

[ericbeaumont]

Yes, different techniques to prep a colony, site recce essential, but the return on the extra effort brings deep joy.

Try this bonus info from PH: https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8140 and this good doc from Peter McFadden: http://www.---------------.org.uk/new-beekeepers/heather-honey/ and then (put the kettle on) http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/heatherhoneytonyjefferson.pdf and https://www.northernbeebooks.co.uk/products/jefferson-a-practical-guide-to-producing-heather-honey/.

Winter reading: save up for this definitive book by Michael Badger https://www.bee-craft.com/shop/books/heather-honey-comprehensive-guide and don't forget Stanley Whitehead https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/bees-heather/author/whitehead-stanley/

More important than most of that: get the bees up there tomorrow; we had a beginner who took standard colonies to Yorkshire in his first year, and came home with honey.

 

[Bear]

Very strong hives.

Shelter, look for bracken.

Access.

Security.

PH (good luck)

The area has a small quarry area just off a road. It has been used in the past by others. Nobody on it this year so I might try. Plus there is a spring so a constant fresh supply of water.

 

[peterbees]

Yes, different techniques to prep a colony, site recce essential, but the return on the extra effort brings deep joy.

Try this bonus info from PH: https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8140 and this good doc from Peter McFadden: http://www.---------------.org.uk/new-beekeepers/heather-honey/ and then (put the kettle on) http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/heatherhoneytonyjefferson.pdf and https://www.northernbeebooks.co.uk/products/jefferson-a-practical-guide-to-producing-heather-honey/.

Winter reading: save up for this definitive book by Michael Badger https://www.bee-craft.com/shop/books/heather-honey-comprehensive-guide and don't forget Stanley Whitehead https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/bees-heather/author/whitehead-stanley/

More important than most of that: get the bees up there tomorrow; we had a beginner who took standard colonies to Yorkshire in his first year, and came home with honey.

Thanks for the mention of my piece on Heather Honey. See https://tinyurl.com/n4xeq4b

 

[Haughton Honey]

No involvement in the Conwy Honey Fair Peter?

I’ve emailed the address on the web site twice now about attending but nobody bothers getting back.

Perhaps it’s only open to the Welsh.

 

[maz0]

Murray McGregor has hives all over Scotland and frequently posts the state of weather, flow and whats flowering in certain areas. His twitter would be my first stop to see if its worth moving to the heather in your area!

https://mobile.twitter.com/calluna4u?lang=en

 

[peterbees]

No involvement in the Conwy Honey Fair Peter?

I’ve emailed the address on the web site twice now about attending but nobody bothers getting back.

Perhaps it’s only open to the Welsh.

I have sent you a PM. We do not have any Welsh v English bias here, thank you.

 

[biglongdarren]

The heather is really pouring into the hives in the Mournes here at the minute, every bit of space in the hive is getting filled with nectar.Best iv'e seen in years.