Cole’s Farm NC

06/12/2026

There’s something special about holding a frame like this…

A perfectly capped medium super, every cell sealed in white wax, and right there in the middle — “2026” carved as a timestamp of this year’s journey.

Because that’s exactly what it is… a journey.

Beekeeping isn’t just about collecting honey. It’s months of preparation, long days in the bee yard, constant decision-making, and a whole lot of hope. Hope that the weather cooperates. Hope that nectar flows are strong. Hope that each management decision — from swarm control to supering at the right time — lines up with what the bees need.

At the end of the day, the bees still have the final say.

🐝 And here’s something that really puts it into perspective…

A single honeybee will produce roughly 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in her entire lifetime.

Now think about this:

* There are about 92 teaspoons in 1 pound of honey
* If one bee produces 1/12 teaspoon, then:

👉 92 teaspoons × 12 bees per teaspoon = 1,104 bees

That means it takes the lifetime work of over one thousand bees to produce just one pound of honey.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Every jar we harvest represents thousands upon thousands of flights, millions of flowers visited, and an incredible level of teamwork inside the hive.

So when you see a frame like this — fully capped and ready — it’s more than just honey.

It’s the result of:
✔️ Careful stewardship
✔️ Favorable conditions
✔️ And the relentless work ethic of the honeybee

And I’m proud to play just a small part in that process here at Cole’s Farm.

🐝 One link. All the buzz. ➡️ https://linktr.ee/colesfarmnc
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🏡👨🏼‍🌾🐝🇺🇸👍🏻

06/10/2026

🐝 First time putting this tool to the test… and I had to share it.

In this video, I finally got my hands on the Hill Co Roller Uncapper and ran it through a real honey harvest for the very first time.

No hype—just honest, first impressions.

To be honest, there’s barely any content out there on this tool (I could only find one other video), so I figured I’d document the experience and show exactly how it performs in the bee yard.

🍯 Does it actually speed things up?

🐝 Is it easier than traditional uncapping methods?

🔧 Is it worth adding to your setup?

I walk through all of that in this short video.

If you’re harvesting honey or thinking about upgrading your process, this might be worth a look.

🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/Bvl-Cy7E4eY
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In this short video (under 13 minutes), I put the Hill Co Roller Un...

06/10/2026

One of the fascinating things about beekeeping is that there’s always something new to see—especially when you look at things from a different perspective.

This is the underside of a medium honey super… a side that most folks never get to see.

In this particular box, I had a few shallow frames mixed in with medium frames. That difference in size created a small gap—and as expected, the bees didn’t let that space go to waste. Instead, they did what bees do best… they built.

They filled that void with fresh comb and stored honey, turning what could have been empty space into something both functional and beautiful. It almost takes on the look of abstract art when you really study it.

Now here’s the honest part… I’ve been telling myself for at least two seasons that I need to go through and remove those shallow frames from my medium boxes. And yet, here I am—still haven’t done it.

The funny thing is, the bees don’t seem to mind one bit. While I may procrastinate on a few things here and there, they just keep right on working—adapting, building, and making the most out of whatever space they’re given.

There’s probably a lesson in that somewhere.

🐝 One link. All the buzz. ➡️ https://linktr.ee/colesfarmnc
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06/08/2026

One of the things I truly appreciate about beekeeping—just like many aspects of life—is that there’s almost always more than one way to accomplish the same goal.

Take honey harvesting, for example.

Some beekeepers use fume boards… some avoid them entirely. There’s no single “right” way—just different tools and methods that fit different operations and philosophies.

For me, I’ve chosen to incorporate a fume board into my process because it’s proven to be an efficient and effective way to clear bees from honey supers during harvest.

And speaking of that… 🍯🐝
I’ve officially begun my honey harvest for the season.

Here’s how I use the fume board:
• I lightly spray the underside of the fume board lid with a bee repellent
• Place it directly on top of the honey super
• Set a timer for about 5 minutes

After just a few minutes, the bees are gently driven down out of the super—leaving it nearly bee-free and ready to be removed and taken to the honey house for extraction.

A few interesting facts about fume boards that many folks may not realize:
• They rely on heat from the sun—the warmer it is, the more effective they become
• The repellents used don’t harm the bees when applied properly—they simply encourage them to move down and away
• Timing is important—too long can cause unnecessary stress, while too short may not fully clear the super
• They can significantly speed up harvest time, especially when working multiple colonies
• Many commercial beekeepers depend on them, while smaller-scale or hobby beekeepers often prefer alternatives like brushing or escape boards

At the end of the day, it’s just another example of how beekeeping blends science, experience, and personal preference into every decision we make.

🐝 One link. All the buzz. ➡️ https://linktr.ee/colesfarmnc
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06/05/2026

🍯 2026 Spring Honey is HERE! 🍯

We’re excited to officially announce that our 2026 spring honey harvest is now available for purchase!

This year’s honey is something special—clean, golden, and straight from the hive.

The first honey crop was harvested on May 10th and the second on May 30th.

While you can still catch us in person at the Onslow County Farmers Market on the first Saturday of the month and soon at the Holly Ridge Open Air Market on the third Saturday, our market schedules are subject to change.

The best and easiest way to purchase is through our website:

Order here 👉 https://coles-farm-nc.square.site

🛒 Pickup made simple:

* Default pickup is set for the next day at 9 AM
* BUT you can easily adjust your pickup time in the cart
* Choose a time as soon as 2 hours after ordering, or anytime within the next 7 days

As always, thank you for supporting local, raw honey and our beekeeping mission here at Cole’s Farm. We truly appreciate every one of you!

🐝 One link. All the buzz. ➡️ https://linktr.ee/colesfarmnc
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06/03/2026

🐝 Honey, swarms, and bottling—all in one day.

In this video, I head back into the second half of the bee yard to pull any remaining honey supers that are ready for harvest.

I honestly expected more… but that’s beekeeping. You work with what the bees give you, and this time it still added up to 100+ pounds of fresh spring honey from three medium supers and one deep.

But that’s just the beginning.

I also check two swarm traps and transfer both colonies into my stacked five-frame nuc system:
👉 One swarm has been in place for about 3 weeks
👉 The other moved in just about a week ago

From there, I walk through my full honey processing setup—uncapping equipment, cleanup behavior from the bees, and my bottling workflow.

And to finish it off, I show my bottling process using the Hill Co Speed Fill system.

It’s a full look at what’s happening right now in the bee yard—from harvest to swarm management to getting honey into the bottle.

🎥 Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/L6LlpNxQioE
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In this video, I’m back in the bee yard working through the second ...

06/03/2026

🐝 Swarm season is still in full swing—and this is a perfect example of what that can look like.

This swarm landed on a split rail post last Tuesday, and while it may look intimidating at first glance, this is actually one of the most gentle and docile phases in a honeybee colony’s life cycle. When bees swarm, they are focused on protecting their queen and finding a new home—not on being aggressive.

That means there’s no need to panic.

If you come across a swarm like this, the best thing you can do is simply give us a call. We typically respond within a few hours, assess the situation, and in many cases, can safely relocate the swarm the very same day.

To reach us, please use our business number: 910-333-6585.

Our voicemail will guide you—just leave a message or send a text with the following:
• Property address
• Whether you are the homeowner
• When you first noticed the swarm
• Photos or videos (if you’re comfortable sharing them)

Every swarm is an opportunity—not just to help the bees, but to educate and support our community.

🐝 One link. All the buzz. ➡️ https://linktr.ee/colesfarmnc
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06/01/2026

🐝 There’s something special about taking the next step in beekeeping—and for me, that step looks like a countdown.

One month from now, this newly acquired Big Tex 70PI utility trailer will be loaded up and heading west with the bees in pursuit of one of North Carolina’s most iconic nectar flows: Sourwood—and I can’t help but be excited for what’s ahead.

This isn’t just about moving hives… it’s about chasing a moment in time that only comes once a year.

For those who may not be familiar, sourwood trees bloom in the higher elevations of southwestern North Carolina, typically from late June through mid-July depending on elevation and weather. The nectar they produce is what gives us that highly sought-after sourwood honey—light in color, smooth, buttery, and often considered one of the finest honeys in the world.

Migratory beekeeping like this takes planning, patience, and a willingness to adapt:
• Timing the move to align with bloom conditions
• Transporting colonies safely during the summer heat
• Selecting apiary locations that balance access, forage, and protection
• And ensuring the bees can quickly settle in and go straight to work

This trailer represents more than just equipment—it’s an investment in growth, in learning, and in giving the bees the best opportunity to thrive during a critical nectar flow.

There’s a lot that goes into chasing honey like this… but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding.

Looking forward to sharing more from the mountains soon. 🍯🐝

🐝 One link. All the buzz. ➡️ https://linktr.ee/colesfarmnc
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05/29/2026

🐝 A few finishing touches in the Honey House…

Finally got around to putting something together that I’ve been meaning to do for a while—displaying some of our published stories on acrylic.

It’s easy to stay focused on the day-to-day work in the bee yard, but taking a step back and seeing these moments captured and shared… it means a lot.

From the first hive to where things are today—this has been a pretty special journey.

Grateful for the opportunities, the support, and the chance to share a little bit of this beekeeping life along the way.

🐝 One link. All the buzz. ➡️ https://linktr.ee/colesfarmnc
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🏡👨🏼‍🌾🐝🇺🇸👍🏻

05/27/2026

🐝 Not every “queenless” hive is actually queenless…

In this video, I go back through several hives that I flagged during my last inspection—and take a closer look to see what’s really going on.

Sometimes you find exactly what you expected…
Other times, you realize you may have jumped the gun.

I also officially kick off this year’s honey harvest—but with a big change from last season.

Instead of pulling everything at once (and paying for it later 😅), I’m working in smaller batches this year—making things a whole lot more manageable.

Plus, I finally get to share some new equipment I’ve been looking forward to putting to use.

A lot of good lessons in this one.

🎥 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/TYSirS2wcBE
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In this video, I go back through several hives that I previously suspected were queenless to see what’s really going on.Anytime a colony shows signs of being...