Gisou Bee Season

GISOU BEE SEASON 21

Bee season has returned to the Mirsalehi Bee Garden.

HELP SUPPORT THE HONEY BEES

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Packets of Gisou flower seeds sitting in soil

Negin holding a tray of honey bees in the Mirsalehi bee garden

GISOU BEE SEASON '21

As the days are becoming longer and warmer, the Mirsalehi Honey Bees wake up from hibernation and get ready to get to work. A lot happens both in and outside of the hive during this time of year and this season, we are taking you through each phase and giving you a closer look.

We're inviting you to be a part of Gisou’s bee season 2021!

From pollination to honey harvest, we’re taking you with us to raise awareness on the importance of bees for our ecosystem.

Negin's father tending to bees in the Mirsalehi bee garden

Bee season calendar

Mirsalehi bee garden in bloom with roses and other flowers

The bees are working in the hive tending the queen and the larvae. The foragers are collecting pollen and nectar from every wildflower they visit outside the nest to support colony growth.

Depending on the area or management style, the population of bees in a hive will vary. Most estimates are in the range of 40 60,000! The colony, if big enough, will continue to rear drones. Swarm season also continues in June.

Negin holding a honeycomb tray in Mirsalehi bee garden

If the weather is good the main nectar flow will occur. The major swarm season winds down in mid-July, even though the population is still high. The summer heat requires the bees to ventilate and perhaps lay outside the hive on the hottest evenings to cool down.
Beekeepers: If there is no good water source, consider providing one to cool the hive. Add another super to hives at this time! and continue inspecting the hives weekly, looking for the queen and checking on the overall health of the hive.

Honey being poured and forming a pile of honey

The colony strength diminishes fast. Drones are still present. Outside activity is reduced since there is little nectar available. Sometimes the old queen is replaced with the new queen.
Beekeepers: The best time to harvest honey for the season is when the frames contain at least 80% sealed and capped honey. Always inspect the hive to ensure the bees have enough honey to last them throughout the winter period. Extract the surplus honey and ensure the queen has enough room to lay more eggs.