Spring Apiary Report: Weathering a Cold, Wet Season

From the Hives at Appalachian Wax Works – Western Maryland

As beekeepers, we learn early that we’re not just tending hives—we’re working in rhythm with nature. This spring, that rhythm has been unpredictable at best.

Here in the Central Appalachians of Western Maryland, the 2025 season opened with a long stretch of cold, wet weather. While we’re no strangers to spring rains, the persistent damp and lack of warm, sunny foraging days have taken a toll on both our bees and possibly this year’s honey production.

The Bees Are Struggling to Gain Ground

Normally, by late May, our colonies would be rapidly expanding—drawing comb, storing nectar, and capping early-season honey. But this year, progress has been sluggish. Foraging windows have been short, and bloom cycles for early nectar sources like red maple, dandelion, autumn olive and black locust were disrupted or cut short by the weather.

Several hives, particularly nucs and new splits, have required supplemental feeding to avoid starvation. Even strong overwintered colonies have shown signs of stress, burning through stored resources faster than expected. We’ve been checking hives frequently, balancing support with minimal interference, and helping them build resilience as the season lurches forward.

Honey Production is Delayed—and Likely Reduced

We know many of you look forward to our early season honey and wax releases, and we love sharing those gifts from the hive. But this season, like many beekeepers across the Mid-Atlantic, we’re seeing fewer frames of honey being stored, with some hives still focused entirely on survival and buildup.

This doesn’t mean there won’t be honey—it just means less, and later, as we wait for warmer, drier weather and stronger nectar flows from tulip poplar, clover, knotweed and goldenrod. Nature sets the pace, and we follow.

A Season for Resilience and Gratitude

While this spring has tested the bees—and us—it’s also a reminder of the deeply interconnected systems we depend on. Beekeeping isn’t just about harvesting; it’s about stewardship. Our role is to observe, respond with care, and remain humble in the face of natural cycles we can’t control.

We’re grateful for your support and patience as we navigate this difficult start to the season. Whether you’re a customer, a fellow beekeeper, or simply someone who cares about pollinators, thank you for standing with us in both abundant and lean seasons.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move into June and July, and if you keep bees yourself: keep an eye on your colonies, check their food reserves, and don’t hesitate to lend them a hand.

In stewardship and solidarity,
The Appalachian Wax Works Team
🐝 Rooted in the Hive. Crafted by Hand.