I am just past the 1-1/2 year mark as a beekeeper.  Last year (2008) I harvested twice.  The summer extraction (at the end of July) from one hive produced 31 pounds of very light honey.  The taste is very nice.  The fall extraction (September) produced 27 pounds of a medium colored (as compared to the first harvest) honey I later learned was heavily influenced by the 2+ acres of goldenron on the property.

I just had the first harvest of the 2009 season on 09 August.  Now I am up to 3 hives. 2 new hives (as the original old hive did not make it past January - due to weather / starvation - as best I can tell) and the original hive now with a Swarm that was captured in May by a freind beekeeper in Summitt County.

Well, the harvest is much less this year as compared to last year.  Much of this I'm guessing is due to the weather.  Seems the trees were budding then hit with some frost (or something).  We notice a total lack of the tree fragrence as we walk about the property this year.  No hint or sign of Linden trees blooming, etc.

The first harvest of 2009 produced 40 pounds from the three hives total.  The honey is a medium color and very tasty.  I liken it to a sorgum type of taste.  Very different from last July's, but very good none the less.

Interestingly, I notice one of the new hives is the best producer.  This one (painted light yellow to differentiate it from the other 2 hives painted white and light mint green) accounted for maybe 9 frames of the 15 total.  I also notice the activity around the hive is remarkably different as compared to the other 2 hives - particularly with the quantity of bees (congregating and flying in and out).  These bees also are A BIT more annoyed with me being in their hive - as noticed by the in-my-face buzzing.

The next best producing hive is the relocated swarm from Summitt county.  I'm told these were probably from a hive at least 6 years old that has had no beekeeper activity in those 6 years - the beekeeper was no longer around.  We think these bees will bee good survivors through the winter - as they have made it thus far.  Darker in color than the Italian bees of the other 2 hives - these girls never congregate at the entrance and never seem to be coming and going in near the numbers of the other hives, but what do you know - they produced about 4 frames of capped honey.  And when I'm in the hive it looks looks to have plenty of bees.  As an aside, I notice all the bees come and go from the front left corner of the opening - even thouth the entire entrance is open.  Huh!

The last hive (mint green) looks like it is making it (in terms of bee production) but these gals are not producing much in the way of capped honey - just 2 frames.

Well, the golden rod is begining the bloom.  I recall from last year my somewhat frantic phone calls to several beekeepers about the "smell" coming from the hive.  I was told it is most likely the golden rod and I should not worry.  This was right.  Last years fall was a very strong (taste and fragrance).  I also learned from reading - and then seeing - the golden rod honey tends to crystalize more rapidly.