I thought I would fit this post in for those friends that have asked about how our bees are going.
On the morning of 10th of March, we extracted the first honey from our hives. It was quite a big day but we got through it. It was quite a learning curve.
PRH stands for Phil's Raw Honey.
As we removed the frames we brushed the bees off and placed them in a box with a lid.
Inside the hive.
Delicious honey.
Safely loaded in the wheel barrow.
We decided to set the equipment up in our laundry because it is a big room. There were a couple of stray bees in the boxes so we let them out the back door and then closed everything up so no bees could find us. I was starting to feel sorry for the bees, all that hard work and then two big bears come and steal it from them ~sigh.
All ready for removing the capping. I took this photo of Phil with his heat knife, but then the knife would not work! It has been sent back to where it came from and they are sending us another one. Lucky we had an uncapping tool to use, but I forgot to take a photo...uh oh!
Let the spin begin.
Straining the honey.
Oooh so exciting!
We could not wait. I had baked some bread during the day and later that night the urge to sample the honey was too strong.
So here is our first jar.
Doesn't that look GOOD?!
Yummy on homemade bread.
After five days of sitting in the barrel to let the wax to rise to the top, it was time to jar up the rest of the honey.
So many jars of golden goodness! I have forgotten how many jars we ended up getting (I knew we saved all those jars for something). We have given some of these away to family and friends, and kept some back for ourselves and bartering. We have had many inquiries and requests for honey, so there will be no problems finding homes for it. We ended up with about 26 kilos (57lbs)! And yes we have left plenty for the bees for winter stores.
This was the last bit of honey in the bottom of the drum. There are bits of wax in it, but it will still get eaten!
Love looking at all those golden jars.
Now Phil is trying out fermented garlic honey.
Some of our busy bees.
As you can see the bees are doing really well.
xTania
How exciting! Good on you both!
ReplyDeleteRachel
Really exciting Rachel. So glad we decided to get bees, they are our friends now and the plants around here are going to really benefit :)
DeleteWow how exciting for you both to have new skills and fantastic honey as a result. Well done. Kathy
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy. Bees are fascinating little creatures, we have learned so much about them that we never knew. xTania
DeleteAll that honey! This is brilliant. I bet the garden is enjoying having the bees around as well. Bluey was going to get me a native bee hive for Mothers Day. With all the virus madness I am not sure if this might have to be postponed for a little while. Thanks for sharing your honey success.
ReplyDeleteLife feels like it is on hold. Who knew this was coming? Certainly not me...But we must make the most of it and live life day by day as best we can.
DeleteI have one of those native bee hives, but no success so far. I did read somewhere that it can take a while for the bees and insects to find the hive. So I will just leave it where it is sitting for now.
xTania
That is quite a haul! How amazing to get all of that from your own hives
ReplyDeleteIt was quite a haul and so satisfying too. Considering we have only had the hives five months it was such a surprise. We were worried about the bees finding enough nectar and pollen in our dry area. But obviously they leave and go foraging in nearby gardens, up to three kilometre radius apparently.
DeletexTania
What a great achievement. Steep learning curve but what great skills to be developing. Hope your garden is happier now it is cooler. We had some rain yesterday and Friday. Veggies looking really happy.
ReplyDeleteHope all is as well as it can be in these challenging times. Take good care and thanks for sharing your honey excitement. Cheers Jo
Great to hear from you Jo. Hope you are keeping well.
DeleteThe garden is doing really great at this time of year. I am setting up more veggie beds this week so we can increase our veggie growing.
We missed out on the rain, but not the red dust storm. It was a real spectacle that we could have done without. I would much prefer some lovely rain.
Stay safe,
xTania
Well done. I’m not a fan f honey but I sure do like looking at it’s golden glistening in all those jars
ReplyDeleteI am surprised at how many people don't really like honey. I have never really eaten much of it, but being our own honey, it tastes so much better than everyone else's. LOL!
DeleteStay safe and well,
xTania
I am in some serious envy over all that lovely honey! I love honey in bread, On bread, in my tea, so many ways. Congratulations on a bountiful harvest.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kay. Our honey is getting used for multiple things too.
DeletexTania
That looks fantastic, Tania. Your laundry set up is great as well. Shame about the heat knife. We bought a steam knife and Paul attached tubing to an old pressure cooker. It worked well however you might have noticed in the small video the tube popped off the steam vent. Think it will have to be clamped. It is all so very exciting. I had some honey on pancakes this morning. Keep up the bee..autiful work!
ReplyDelete