Urban beekeeping at Vulkan
Cheers, Rietz, a family business, has created a beekeeper's dream in the middle of Oslo and Hadeland. Vulkan Bigård, which started in 2013, is now one of Norway's largest independent beekeeping companies, with lots of bee colonies and delicious honey.
Summer is coming to an end and that means our bees here at Vulkan are starting to deliver their fresh honey! At Vulkan, the bees collect delicious nectar from linden trees, chestnuts and dandelions. This floral blend gives our honey a wonderful taste of mint, chocolate and caramel.
When we start harvesting the honey, it is important that we start with feeding so that the bees get compensation for us taking the colony's winter reserve. The winter feed is a mixture of 40% water and 60% sugar. They get the sugar syrup in a bag that we poke small holes in, so that the bees get the food, little by little.
Beekeeper Alexander du Rietz
The reason the feed is portioned out is to stimulate the queen to lay as many eggs as possible that will become new bees. The bees that hatch during this period are very important, as they will survive through the winter and the first part of spring. These bees are called “winter bees”. Since Norway has a relatively cold climate, it is extra crucial to have many winter bees. They gather closely together in a large cluster to stay warm. Without a sufficient number of winter bees, the colony can collapse and freeze to death.
Our 5 hives produce a total of about 200 kg of honey per season. In a short time, Vulkanhonningen will be available for sale at Gutta på Haugen here in Mathallen.
