The best time to harvest honey in Texas is a variable window determined by local floral cycles and the health of the bee colony. Harvesting timing depends entirely on the regional nectar flow, which dictates when bees produce a surplus beyond their own survival needs. This highly localized process means the optimal time can shift by several weeks, or even months, between regions like the Gulf Coast and the Panhandle.
Understanding Texas Nectar Flows
Texas’s sheer size and varied climate result in dramatically different nectar flow periods across the state, though two major flows typically occur in spring and fall. The main spring flow often begins earliest in South Texas, sometimes starting in March, and is usually finished by June. Moving north, Central Texas commonly sees its peak flow from mid-April through May, with the resulting honey ready for harvest around June or July, depending on the summer dearth period.
The timing of the harvest is usually set 2 to 4 weeks after the primary flow has ended, allowing the bees enough time to cure the collected nectar. In East Texas, a significant flow comes from the Chinese tallow tree from mid-May to late June, establishing a harvest window soon after. Key floral sources like mesquite, cotton, and various native wildflowers have bloom periods that define the beekeeper’s calendar in their specific area.
A second, smaller flow often occurs in the fall, driven by plants like goldenrod and asters, particularly if late-summer rains provide moisture. North Texas often sees its main harvest later, from mid-July through September, accounting for the combined spring and fall contributions.
Signs the Honey is Ready to Extract
The calendar date is secondary to the physical state of the honey, which must be “cured” before it can be safely harvested. When bees bring in nectar, it can contain up to 80% water, and they must reduce this moisture content to around 18% through fanning and regurgitation. This process concentrates the sugars and prevents the honey from fermenting once it is sealed in the comb.
The clearest indicator that honey is cured is when the bees cap the cells with a thin layer of beeswax. A frame should be 80% to 90% capped before it is considered ready for extraction. Capping confirms the moisture level is low enough for long-term storage.
If a frame is not fully capped, a simple shake test can provide a quick assessment of its readiness. Holding the frame horizontally and giving it a sharp, downward shake should not cause any liquid to spray or “rain” out of the uncapped cells. If drops emerge, the nectar is still uncured and requires more time for the bees to process it.
Essential Colony Management Considerations
The decision to harvest must always prioritize the colony’s long-term health and ability to survive the subsequent dearth period and winter. Removing too much honey can lead to starvation, forcing the beekeeper to provide supplemental feeding. A strong colony requires a substantial reserve to sustain itself during the hot Texas summer dearth and the cooler, less active winter months.
Beekeepers should aim to leave a minimum of 60 to 80 pounds of honey stores for a mature colony going into winter, with the exact amount varying by hive size and location. This reserve ensures the bees can generate heat and remain active, even during cold snaps. Harvesting should be completed by late summer, typically before mid-August, allowing bees sufficient time to replenish stores from any late fall flow. A late harvest significantly compromises the colony’s chances of survival if the fall flow is poor or non-existent.