In Jefferson County, honey is usually harvested in late July and August, although some monofloral honey from big-leaf maple and various berries might be harvested anytime in the Spring. Fireweed is the last major honey flow and specialty honey from the Pacific Northwest.

We have included discussions of some specialty items but omitted making candles.

Honey Harvesting and Product Marketing | Class 9

Even the beginning beekeeper can produce many different forms of regular honey, but most of the honey in the first year should be left for the bees.

Comb honey and Ross rounds are two products that make special gifts.

Fall and Winter Management | Class 10

Vigilance must always be maintained during the fall to protect your bees from robbers. Some hard decisions, such as combining hives, must also sometimes be made to get your bees through the winter. You must maintain constant monitoring for varroa mites coming in from neighboring collapsing colonies. The payoff is next spring, when you will split colonies instead of ordering new bees.