What are you ‘professional’ heather go-ers, doing over the next couple of weeks to prepare for the heather?
My flow over last 3 years has started on 14-15 august and usually lasts 2-3 weeks max depending on the weather. Most of the crop comes in on a specific week. Colonies fly direct to the moor from home and even some from the valley will fly up to it. Plan to take a couple this year directly on the moor as I find the crop flavour is different.
I’m just assessing which colonies might need extra brood now & using Nucs to top up & which might need a young queen, or a Nuc uniting to it, though I’ve found older queens can do just as well. Also adding the odd frame of thin foundation to colonies that are doing well, to get some comb drawn.
Interested in what you’re doing now and in the next week or so, to prepare?
My flow over last 3 years has started on 14-15 august and usually lasts 2-3 weeks max depending on the weather. Most of the crop comes in on a specific week. Colonies fly direct to the moor from home and even some from the valley will fly up to it. Plan to take a couple this year directly on the moor as I find the crop flavour is different.
I’m just assessing which colonies might need extra brood now & using Nucs to top up & which might need a young queen, or a Nuc uniting to it, though I’ve found older queens can do just as well. Also adding the odd frame of thin foundation to colonies that are doing well, to get some comb drawn.
Interested in what you’re doing now and in the next week or so, to prepare?
