Anyone who has been following us for a while knows: We converted our operations entirely to organic back in 2019. For us, this means far more than just a label on the jar. We do not treat our bees like conventional livestock, but with respect and care for their well-being!
There is one topic particularly close to our hearts that is talked about far too rarely, but which we are asked about very often: How do bees actually spend the winter?
Feeding bees with sugar? Not with us!
Usually, it is standard practice in beekeeping to remove the honey in late summer and replace it with sugar water or sugar syrup as a substitute food. In fairness, it must also be said that in many regions of Austria, it is not even possible to overwinter sugar-free, as some types of honey are difficult for bees to digest in winter.
But isn't there a more natural and stress-free way for the animals?
The answer is a clear yes! Our approximately 40 bee colonies here around Kettlasbrunn in the Weinviertel do not receive a single spoonful of industrial sugar. They overwinter 100% on their own, self-collected honey.
Thanks to the sunflower!
The secret behind our sugar-free overwintering is actually quite simple – you just have to look closely at what nature gives us:
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The last major nectar source: Here in the Weinviertel, the sunflower is the last major crop of the year that offers the bees plenty of nectar. It usually blooms until the beginning of August and has never let us down in our over 10 years of beekeeping.
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Creamy yellow sunflower honey: We harvest our summer blossom honey just before the last sunflowers fade. During this time, the bees are already storing honey in their original brood chamber to prepare for winter. This way, there is enough left for us and for them until the next nectar flow in the spring.
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Abundant winter supply: Of course, strong colonies still have a relatively high honey consumption at this time of year, yet we still have enough supplies in all colonies—with very few exceptions—without any sugar at all. This is the perfect, natural nutritional basis that lasts them, without any stress, exactly until the first plants bloom the following spring.
Acting ecologically – for humans and animals
While this near-natural approach requires a little more attention and consideration for nature's processes from us, the result speaks for itself: healthy, strong bee colonies that start the spring full of energy again.
With every jar of our honey, you support this form of ecological and animal-friendly beekeeping – and you can taste it, too. Mmmmmmm!