Newsletter

October 2026

October 2026 Newsletter – Rex Smith & Laura Winters

• In the field
• Plant Talk
• Upcoming Events
• Referrals

Happy Fall Y’all!

by Laura Winters

The much-needed rain we received a couple of weeks ago jump-started our fall nectar flow! With goldenrod in full bloom, our forager bees are starting their workdays at sunrise and bringing in huge amounts of pollen and nectar.

Most colonies are stocking up on these last-minute resources before cold weather sets in. However, some colonies are taking this as an opportunity to swarm one last time! Because of this, we beekeepers are having to treat this season like “Spring #2.”

We are also noticing significantly bigger orientation flights where 7 to 10 day old bees fly outside of their hive and make figure 8 flights orientating themselves to their specific colony hive location.

Orientation flights are a beautiful sight to watch from the outside of a colony in the early morning and/or late afternoon.

Colonies with high populations and abundant incoming resources can quickly run out of space, triggering their instinct to reproduce and swarm before winter. During our hive inspections, we’re keeping a close eye out for swarm indicators—like queen cells, a lack of room for the queen to lay eggs, or no remaining space to store resources.

On the flip side, we’re also combining weaker, struggling colonies with stronger ones so they have a much better chance of surviving the upcoming winter months.

Plant Spotlight 

Goldenrod

by Laura Winters

This is a fantastic year for Goldenrod! It started blooming about two weeks ago and serves as the ultimate last-minute lifesaver for honeybees.

Most beekeepers leave this fall honey in the hives for the bees to feed on during their winter dearth. When harvested, goldenrod honey is known to be one of the “stinkier” honeys found in North Texas. Its aroma is so pungent that my backyard colonies are currently permeating a distinct “stinky armpit sock” smell from all the ripening nectar!

While it might not be a personal favorite for human taste buds, we are so grateful for this stinky goodness that keeps our honeybees happy and fed!

Photo by Rex Smith

Upcoming Events

• Oct 24 – Ft Worth – DFW ABC ( Area Beekeeper Conference)
• Oct 27 – Trinity Valley Beekeepers Monthly Meeting
• Nov 14 – Introduction to Beekeeping Class (Last class for 2026 !  Spots Available!)
• Watch for Spring 2027 Classes to be announced this winter

HONEY and CREAMED HONEY
by Laura and Rex
AVAILABLE AT OWENWOOD / GROW North Texas
EVERY FRIDAY MARKET

Owenwood Farm & Garden Space Market Dates:
Oct 16, 23, 30 ; Nov 6, 13
9am-Noon
1451 John West Rd.
Dallas, TX 75228

We would appreciate a referral or introduction if you or a neighbor or other friend have 5-20 acres of land in Denton, Collin, Hunt, Dallas, or Kaufman counties, and need to establish or maintain the agriculture valuation on the land and are considering having honeybees as your livestock.
We are signing contracts now through February – for bees that will be placed in Spring 2027.

More info at:  https://www.bohemianutopia.com/ag/

Rex Smith Harmony Hollow Apiary HarmonyHollowBees@gmail.com 469-251-2BEE (2233)

Laura Winters Birds & the Bees Apiary BirdsAndTheBeesApiary@gmail.com 214-729-0726