Snuggle up and Keep Warm — Just like our Bees.
There’s snow on the hills! That means our beekeepers are busy doing the final checks on our bees, making sure they have everything they need to stay safe and warm. With the sticky business of extraction all finished, we’re reflecting on another successful harvest.
Just like last year our Honeydew and Autumn Gold had another great season. Together with our Native Bush and Kāmahi honeys they made up for quite a small harvest of Mānuka and Kānuka.
Unfortunately, all that wet weather was not good for Mānuka and Kānuka varieties. Our bees must have been wondering where all the flowers were!
Wet weather can prove quite a challenge for beekeepers, and not just because our bees don’t get enough ‘fly time.’ Apart from dealing with extra muddy terrain, we can’t harvest in the rain either as it risks increasing the moisture levels in the honey.
Thankfully our new staff members have settled in brilliantly and are doing a great job of dealing with the ups and downs of beekeeping. It’s as if they have always been with us. Whether it’s the rain and wind, or vehicle breakdowns, they’ve proved they can think on their feet and make the most of a sticky situation.
As we like to say, it’s the little things that count, and this season we lost count of the many ways that our team stepped up. They had such a great attitude all season, dealing with some challenging times. It’s those little things that make a big difference – and at Mountain Valley Honey that is what we are all about.
