In Texas, beekeepers typically harvest honey from late spring through early fall, with the biggest extractions happening in late summer to early fall (August–October). That’s when many public honey programs and field trip experiences take place. Timing isn’t the same everywhere—it depends on local nectar flows and weather.
🐝 Why Timing Matters
Honey needs to be capped—sealed with a thin layer of wax—before it’s truly ripe. If it’s pulled too early, the water content is too high, which can lead to fermentation.
Beekeepers also have to leave enough honey behind so bees can survive the winter. The balance between harvesting and hive survival is part science, part art (Texas Beekeepers Association; University of Florida IFAS).
📍 How Timing Shifts by Region
- South & Gulf Coast: Spring starts early, and major honey flows may finish by June. A second nectar flow in fall can provide another harvest into October or even November in warm years (Texas Beekeepers Association, Bee Culture).
- Central Texas (Austin area): Honey harvest often begins in June and continues through July, depending on rainfall (Texas Beekeepers Association, Austin Area Beekeepers).
- East Texas: The Chinese tallow tree provides a heavy flow from mid–late May through late June. In fall, goldenrod and other wildflowers produce a second harvest that lasts until the first frost (East Texas Beekeepers Association).
- North Texas (DFW): Main harvest is mid-July through September, with a fall bloom of goldenrod and asters if rainfall is favorable (Texas Beekeepers Association; Texas A&M Honey Bee Lab).
Curious how that honey actually gets from the comb to the jar? Read our guide: What Happens in a Honey Extraction?
🌦️ Weather: The Wildcard
Texas weather plays a huge role in honey production. Drought, heat waves, or late rains can dramatically shorten—or sometimes extend—the nectar flow. That’s why harvest timing varies not only by region, but also from year to year (Texas Beekeepers Association).
🍯 When You Can See Extraction
Most educational programs that feature honey extraction take place in late summer and early fall (August–October), when honey is at its peak.
September is also National Honey Month, making it the perfect time to taste honey fresh from the comb and celebrate the work of bees and beekeepers (National Honey Board).
👩👩👧 Experience It Yourself
Reading about harvest is one thing—seeing it is another. Want to watch golden honey stream from the comb, taste it fresh, and take home your own jar?
And if you’d like to meet the beekeeper behind our DFW program, check out our feature: Meet Jeremy Campbell: Your Guide to Hands-On Beekeeping in DFW.
