The Busy "Off Season" at Farris Farms Honey
The fall season is over and winter is about to set in. I assume that most of us “beeks” are ready for the well-deserved break this winter. However, I can tell you from experience that winter is anything but a quiet time. In fact, the so-called "off season" keeps us just as busy as the height of summer, just in different ways.
Winter Hive Management: Keeping Our Girls Healthy
Even though our bees cluster together to stay warm during cold months, they still need our attention. One of my most important winter tasks is checking food stores in each hive. A simple test method is the hive tilt. Make an assessment if your hives are heavy or light. In southern middle Tennessee, we have several warm days throughout the winter where temperatures climb enough to safely open the hive. I inspect (without pulling frames) to evaluate cluster size and cluster location. A hive tool can also be used to probe for food stores. If supplies are running low, I can add fondant as a supplemental food source to include a shimming for space. It’s simple, just lay it gently on the cluster. In our location we also have the option to open feed thick syrup. It’s at this time bees that forage can find a secure source of food, as well migrate existing food stores to the middle of the nest. Be mindful that opening hives on cold days can break the cluster and chill the bees, forcing them to use precious energy to re-establish their winter formation.
Winter is also prime time for continued mite mitigation through vaporization treatments. A beekeeper of knowledge, experience, and good stewardship is busy all summer with regular mite checks (via sticky board or washes) to evaluate mite counts. Continued varroa mite treatments during the winter season set colonies up for success when spring arrives. Healthy winter bees mean strong spring colonies ready for splitting and catching an anticipating good nectar flow.
Planning and Preparation: The Foundation of Success
Spring is fast approaching and I'm hard at work managing equipment and planning for the year ahead. This means assembling frames and boxes, ensuring everything is ready when needed. There's nothing worse than being caught unprepared early in the season. It is extremely difficult, or almost impossible, to stay ahead of your colonies.
Speaking of planning, winter is when I calculate current hive numbers and get projections on new nucleus colony counts, or what is typically called spring splitting. Knowing my live colony inventory helps me determine how many additional colonies we can create. We make splits starting in late March, which are typically ready by late April or May. This of course depends on several factors such as queen import availability, local queen rearing, and of course the weather. This practice serves double duty: it helps in swarm reduction of our existing colonies while also creating an increase we can sell to other beekeepers looking to expand their own operations.
I also use this “quieter” time to scout new hive locations, always looking for ideal spots with good forage, water access, and protection from harsh weather.
Conferences, Networking, and Exciting Partnerships
One of the highlights of the off season is attending beekeeping conferences. These gatherings are invaluable for learning the latest techniques, connecting with fellow beekeepers, and staying current on industry developments. The networking opportunities are truly special—there's something about sharing experiences and challenges with folks who understand this unique calling we have.
I'm particularly excited about the North American Honey Bee Expo (NAHBE) coming up in 2026. We'll have a booth there, and I'll be doing a demonstration on creamed honey making and sales. If you've never tried our creamed honey, you're in for a treat. The process of controlling crystallization to create that smooth, spreadable texture is both an art and a science, and I'm honored to share our methods with the beekeeping community.
Speaking of partnerships, I'm thrilled to announce that Bear Creek Honey is launching a new sauce, and we're proud to be partnering again with them! You'll be able to find their products at our booth. It's wonderful to collaborate with other local businesses who share our commitment to quality.
Meeting Customer Demand: Christmas and Beyond
The holiday season brings its own flurry of activity. Christmas orders keep us busy bottling honey and making our popular creamed honey. There's something special about knowing our honey will grace holiday tables and make meaningful gifts. Beyond honey, I plan to render beeswax to start creating beautiful candles, another product opportunity for our customer base to love.
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The Rhythm of the Seasons
The reality of beekeeping is that it's a year-round commitment. Each season flows into the next, and the work we do in winter directly impacts our success in spring and summer. By staying on top of hive health, equipment maintenance, and strategic planning during these colder months, we ensure that Farris Farms Honey continues producing the high-quality, locally-sourced honey our customers have come to trust.
As a family man who's spent the better part of a decade learning and perfecting this craft, I can tell you that the relationships we build—with our bees, our customers, and our fellow beekeepers—are what make this work so rewarding. Every jar of honey, every nucleus colony, queen, or perhaps candle we sell represents not just a product, but a commitment to quality and community.
So next time someone asks me what I do during the beekeeping "off season," I just smile. There really is no off season—only different seasons, each with its own essential work. I wouldn't have it any other way.