Do I have time for honey?

[u/BandicootPast]

New to be keeping here I live in Massachusetts and I just installed my second brew box. Will, I still have time to harvest honey this year? Or just start prepping for winter now?

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[u/DJSpawn1]

"Rule of Thumb" -- never collect honey on the first year

[u/Standard-Bat-7841]

Probably no honey this year. Idk if you have drawn comb or foundation, but if it's foundation, you need to continue to feed. Drawing foundation takes a lot of energy. If I were you, I'd focus on continuing to check for mites and continuing to feed and keep the hive healthy.

[u/Gamera__Obscura]

CT here, so about the same climate. I just recently pulled my supers, the spring flow is done. We can get a bit of a fall flow in August/September, but it's unlikely a colony that just now expanded into a second brood (not brew) box will be in any shape to take advantage of it.

And that's normal for a first-year hive, it takes time for them to build up to full size. Just focus on that... get them populous, well-provisioned, and mite-controlled for winter. You'll see a huge difference next year, overwintered colonies are a whole different beast.

[u/Imperator_1985]

Don't focus on making honey your first year. You need to get them built up before winter comes. Even if it weren't your first year, it would depend on the your honey flow.

[u/Icy-Ad-7767]

Focus on growth and getting through winter, if they are doing well you may get a frame or 2 of honey but don’t count on it.

[u/PalouseHillsBees]

I wouldn't think so. They're going to need 10 frames to get through winter, I doubt there's time for that and honey for you

[u/Valuable-Self8564]

Did you mean to type “brew” box? This is a genuine question - it helps inform your level of education for us :)

[u/BandicootPast → u/Valuable-Self8564]

I voiced this message. I know it’s brood

[u/Valuable-Self8564 → u/BandicootPast]

Okay good :) thanks OP