August 

August In East Tennessee

Lammas, the Buck Moon, and the Slow Turning Toward Winter

August arrives with a quiet lesson for the beekeeper. The spring rush has passed. The long days are beginning to shorten. Sourwood is declining in many areas, summer heat is heavy on the land, and the bees are beginning to tell us what the rest of the season may hold.

August 1st is traditionally known as Lammas Day, or “Loaf Mass,” an old first-harvest observance connected with grain, bread, gratitude, and the beginning of the harvest season. It is a fitting reminder for the apiary: what was gathered in spring and early summer now becomes part of the decisions that carry the colony toward fall and winter.

The recent Full Buck Moon also marks this same seasonal feeling. The Buck Moon is traditionally associated with the time of year when male deer are growing new antlers. Like the hive, the natural world is still growing, but it is also preparing. Energy is shifting. Resources are changing. The land is beginning its slow turn toward the next season.

In the bee yard, August asks us to pay attention.

Flora Watch — August in East Tennessee

By August, sourwood may still linger in some mountain areas, but the main sourwood flow is usually fading. As it declines, late-summer and early-fall forage begins to matter more.

Important August forage may include:

• Late sourwood in some areas

• White and red clover, depending on elevation and moisture

• Goldenrod

• Asters

• Ironweed

• Joe-Pye weed

• Wildflowers

• Blackberry, raspberry, and other wild summer berries

• Pollinator plantings such as bee balm, coneflower, phlox, borage, sage, catnip, and other herbs

Goldenrod and asters are especially important because they can provide valuable nectar and pollen late in the season, just as colonies begin preparing for winter slowdown. This is one reason August is not a month to stop watching the blooms. The bees are still reading the land.

Forage Pattern

In East Tennessee, August can be variable. Some locations may see a useful late-season nectar flow from goldenrod, asters, ironweed, and other fall plants. Other locations may experience a nectar dearth, especially during hot, dry weather. Bees may continue bringing in pollen even when nectar becomes lighter That difference matters. Pollen helps support brood rearing. Nectar helps build stores. A colony can look active at the entrance while still losing weight if nectar is scarce. This is why August management should be guided by observation, hive weight, bloom intensity, and colony condition—not the calendar alone.

What to Watch

In August, observe:

• What is blooming nearby

• Whether goldenrod or asters are beginning to open

• Whether bees are bringing in bright yellow, cream, orange, white, or mixed pollen

• Whether the hive feels heavier or lighter

• Whether colonies have enough space

• Whether robbing pressure is increasing

• Whether bees are becoming more defensive around open honey

• Whether brood patterns remain healthy

• Whether queens are still laying well

• Whether mite pressure is increasing

Strong bloom may mean colonies need space. Weak bloom may mean stores need close monitoring. The bees will often tell us which one is happening.

Queen Management

August is an important time to evaluate queen performance. Healthy brood production now helps support the bees that will carry the colony toward winter.

Consider:

• Requeening colonies that are failing, poorly laying, overly defensive, or not building well

• Watching brood pattern, egg laying, and colony temperament

• Ensuring requeened colonies have sealed brood and adequate young bees

• Checking for eggs or larvae about 10 days after queen release

• Avoiding unnecessary disturbance once a new queen is accepted and laying

Marked queens can be easier to locate, especially for new beekeepers. Clipped queens may help slow swarm loss in some management systems, but clipping does not replace proper colony management, space, timing, and observation. The queen is not simply an egg layer. She is part of the rhythm of the colony.

Honey Stores & Extraction

August is the time to think honestly about what the bees have and what they still need. In our region, many colonies need roughly 40–60 pounds of stored honey going into winter, though the exact amount depends on colony size, hive configuration, weather, forage, and local conditions.

August tasks may include:

☐ Check colony honey stores

☐ Extract surplus honey only after colony needs are considered

☐ Return extracted supers just before dark to reduce robbing

☐ Leave room for late-summer and fall nectar when flows are active

☐ Remove empty or unnecessary supers when nectar slows

☐ Store supers clean, dry, and ventilated

☐ Protect stored comb from wax moths and pests

☐ Render old or damaged comb when appropriate

Robbing can become serious in August. When nectar is light, every open hive, wet super, or spilled drop of honey can attract attention. Work with intention. Keep inspections efficient. Return wet supers near dusk. And always remember: harvest is a privilege, not an entitlement.

Swarm Awareness

Swarm season may be slower by August, but it is not always over—especially in mountain areas or strong colonies with late flows.

Continue to watch for:

• Crowding

• Backfilling of the brood nest

• Queen cells

• Sudden changes in population

• Congestion during strong goldenrod or fall bloom

Late swarms can be difficult to build into strong winter colonies. After mid-summer, small swarms or weak colonies may need to be combined, supported, or managed carefully depending on their condition.

Hive Health & Varroa Monitoring

August is one of the most important months to monitor Varroa mites. The bees raised in late summer and early fall influence how well the colony enters winter. Mite pressure left unchecked now can weaken brood, shorten bee lifespan, and increase the risk of winter loss.

Consider:

• Checking mite levels with a sugar roll, alcohol wash, or sticky board

• Watching for spotty brood, poor population growth, or unusual brood symptoms

• Treating only when thresholds and colony conditions indicate action is needed

• Choosing approved treatment methods that match temperature, brood status, honey-super status, and label directions

• Following current UT Extension guidance and product labels carefully

Natural-minded beekeeping does not mean ignoring mites. It means observing carefully, understanding the colony, and intervening with purpose when the health of the hive requires it.

Observation first.

Intervention with intention.

Record What the Land Is Saying

August notes can help you understand your own apiary year after year.

Track:

☐ Goldenrod bloom timing

☐ Aster bloom timing

☐ Ironweed and Joe-Pye weed activity

☐ Pollen colors and volume

☐ Hive weight

☐ Honey harvested

☐ Supers added or removed

☐ Queen performance

☐ Mite counts

☐ Weather patterns

☐ Signs of robbing or dearth

These records help predict late-season nectar flows, fall feeding needs, and winter preparation. A good beekeeper learns the calendar. A better beekeeper learns the land.

August Reminder for East Tennessee

August is a harvest month, but it is also a preparation month. The bees are still gathering. The flowers are still offering. Goldenrod and asters are waiting in the wings. But winter preparation begins long before winter arrives. 

As Lammas reminds us, the first harvest carries gratitude and responsibility. As the Buck Moon reminds us, growth and preparation often happen at the same time. And as the bees remind us, every season has something to teach.

Watch the blooms.

Watch the entrance.

Watch the brood.

Watch the stores.

Watch the mites.

Watch the weather.

The bees are preparing for what comes next. May we be observant enough to notice. The hive is still teaching. The land is still speaking. The season is still unfolding. Observation before intervention. Stewardship before harvest. The bees set the pace.