[Slee]

When do we expect to start seeing swarms in the north TX area? When will be the start to our honey flows?
Put out three swarm traps on the weekend.

 

[Hambone]

My first 2 swarms caught in traps last year was April 20th and 21st.

Depending on what you have for your flow. Mine seems to start about April 10th - May with Clover, Vetch, Horse Mint, Indian Blanket, and other wildflowers at different times. Then I get the mesquite flow in June. It last about a month.

 

[Ross]

I'm seeing redbud, Bartlett pear, henbit, davodils, and a bunch of other stuff blooming. I must have missed the maples. It can't be long, but I honestly haven't found time to do more than drive by a few of mine.

 

[Hambone]

I must have missed the maples.

My neighbor and my FIL have a few Maples. A few weeks ago when we had the record snow fall. That's when they were blooming. It was crazy.

 

[applebwoi]

Up in Amarillo I usually start getting swarm calls around April 15-20. Peaches and pears typically begin blooming around March 25 and Apples about three weeks later. Not sure about the mesquite but I'll be watching this year. Good luck.

 

[B. Haning]

I have seen swarms in early March in some years, before any of the trees leaf out. Our main honey flow is mid May to mid June; it is usually indian blanket and horsemint. If you watch craigslist in the spring you see when the swarms are starting in Dallas. Typically our first swarms are a little later than Dallas.

 

[Ross]

My main flow is usually earlier than that, mostly April and May. We're usually done by mid June unless the mesquites bloom. Horsemint goes all summer, but normally won't produce a lot of honey.

 

[Hambone]

Maple pollen rating was moderate today. They early bloom with the cold my have killed the early buds. Maybe a rebloom is in order.