East Texas Flow Questions

[Hambone]

I set up a friend with a couple hives last year in the Athens area. They are coming out of winter looking good. Curious to know what an avg East TX flow is like. The times and what the main nectar sources are and your avg honey crop. I’m only an hour away but the landscape is totally different from my area.

[Ross]

Flow is very localized in east Texas, based on whether or not there is any farming that yields nectar. A field of vetch or clover can dramatically impact yields. Otherwise, its wild flowers, privet, wild plum, black berry, etc. In other words, what is in the area. Pine forest and Bermuda grass pastures don't have much flow. I would suspect good hives in a decent location can make 100# or more, 2-3 supers. A good location can double that.

[Hambone]

Thanks Ross. He is right before the pines start. Most of the trees on his land are hardwoods. There is a lot of bermuda around. But there always seemed to be a lot of stuff blooming out there last year. I will make a list of the flowers you mentioned and keep an eye out for those.

[mcwalsh]

When would you expect "spring flow" to really start in that neck of the woods? I'm also in Texas (near Normangee/Centerville) and we've got a lot of bermuda grass and tons of oaks, not much in the way of crops nearby. The bees are bringing in pollen from something like mad but I don't know about nectar. There are a few wildflowers starting to bloom. I'm guessing we're starting to come into the flow. When does one harvest? We just started our hives last year, had an accidental swarm issue and ended up with three, all of which seem to have come through the winter ok. Now we're trying to figure out when we're going to need an extractor or something. We can be awfully hot and dry in the summer; I don't want to mess the girls up because they need their resources and I've gone and taken all their food source right then!

[Ross]

You should see a flow starting by the 1st of March down that way. If there is any crimson clover, that will bloom shortly. Also wild plum is starting up here, so you should be seeing that (small white trees in the understory) along with privet and bridle wreath. Wild flowers will kick in when it warms a little. Up here near Dallas, our flow is usually done in mid May unless you are on cotton or mesquite. They are about the only things that bloom in the heat of the summer. I try to pull honey by the 4th of July so the bees don't eat it all. They can usually find enough to sustain through the summer, but not a surplus. In the fall, unless its a severe drought, they will store aster and golden rod for winter. If you get with your county agent, you might find some ranchers using legumes (clover and vetch) instead of fertilizing pastures. That can make a lot of honey in a hurry.

[Hambone]

Good info Ross. I pull supers July 4th (week) too. I'm in the heart of Mesquites but they are mostly done by the end of June. Though last year they boomed into August. It was a great bloom last year.

[cadbury]

What do you think about the timings for Austin area of Texas? I am guessing that it too would be done by Early July....

[Ross]

I don't know the Austin area, but I'm guessing it will depend heavily on moisture. Hambone, I'm hoping they are done aerial spraying the cotton up here this year. There were no boll weevils last year, so we may finally get to go back on cotton.