Strong colonies in the Almond Groves. Feeder cans are on top of the hives. The hives are on a pallet, four hives to a pallet. Notice the Almond blossoms on the trees in the background. |
This blog is for beekeepers in Northern climates. I will be describing what I am doing with my bees on a monthly schedule. Copying any text or photos is forbidden except with written authorization of the author.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Bees in California
The Almond bloom is over and many colonies are crowded with bees after the season of pollination. Commercial beekeepers in California are now switching to shaking packages for northern states.
With some recent rains across the state of California, flowers have popped up and pollen has been coming in. The incoming pollen spurs on the production of drones in the crowded colonies. The increased drone production is crucial for the mating of queens that are being raised for the packages. Queen rearing is in high gear right now for the April deliveries of packages all across the northern tier of states.