Feeding

The ivy is beginning to come into bloom here in Norwich and if the weather stays warm during September/October the bees will work hard at making honey out of it's nectar. I have spun out ivy honey in past years and have learned that timing is critical. A speedy extraction is required. The honey will even set on the inside of the extracter it sets so fast and once it is capped by the bees it almost too late to extract. It needs to be taken out of the hive just as the bees are in the process of capping it.

http://www.southamptonbeekeepers.co.uk/index_files/notes/october_supp.pdf
http://www.beesmith.co.uk/news.php?extend.69

There are other nectar sources that my bees are working at the moment including Golden Rod and Himalayan Balsam http://www.nookfarmhoney.co.uk/balsam_flower_honey.php I am holding on for a little while while yet before I take all of my supers off and extract what honey there is there.

I won't take the ivy honey and will leave that for the bees and I will feed them at the same time so that the ivy honey gets mixed with sugar.