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From Our Readers

 

From our Holiday 2005 Issue

From our Harvest 2005 Issue
From our Summer 2005 Issue
From our Spring 2005 Issue
From our Early Spring 2005 Issue
From our Winter 2005 Issue

From our Holiday 2005 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter

Winemaker Questions, Should beeswax candles smoke? Wicks for beeswax candles, Pruning vines, Foch Wine, Apothecary jar Candles, White beeswax, Red Honey, Catalog, Ear Candles, Comments from India, Winemaking Supplies, Wills Winery, Creamed honey, Honey Soap, Shelf life of creamed honey, Can honeybees damage the grapes? Do you filter your wax, Stevia comments, Wills Winery, Making beewax candles, White beeswax, Bees in Trees, Growing Grapes in Northern Michigan, What do I bring to the farm to get grapes and honey? Foch Grapes, No Custom Pressing, How many grapes for 5 gallons, When are concord grapes ripe? Raw Honey. Will grapes ripen after harvest?

11/4/2005 - Brian

I am a novice wine maker. I have made about 4 six gallon batches and I have ordered my supplies and kits from EC Kraus. I want to plant a few vines to use for myself and was cruising around looking for a place to buy vines when I came across your site. I read your recipes and notice that you do not call for any yeast or other additives. I am curios by this. I am also interested in your using honey instead of sugar as my sister raises honey bees. I hadn't heard of that before. Also, I was wondering if you could recommend a place to purchase french hybrid vines.

Thanks, Brian Filinger

  • I always recommend using sulfite (cambden tablets) to reduce the wild yeast and then adding a cultured wine yeast the next day. I do not want wild yeasts, which are sometimes fine - but sometimes very bad, to take over my wine.

    Additives are added to wine only when necessary, to correct color, acidity, refermentation, oxidizing and other problems - but they are recommended. Other than cambden tablets & yeast the should not AUTOMATICALLY be part of winemaking.

    I use honey instead of sugar in wine partly because it is available (also being a beekeeper), but it also helps to stabilize the wine and prevent oxidation (although it is NOT as good as sulphite for that.)

    Vines can be purchased at nurseries on our resource page:
    http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/winemakingresources.htm

    Bill

11/3/2005 - Darshana

I have been using paraffin votive candles that I order every year or so by
the case from GenWax, because they burn really cleanly & completely and are
so reasonably priced.

I would prefer the health benefits (negative ions, natural sustainable
product, great smell & color!) of beeswax, but my experience with a large
order from Blue Corn beeswax candles a few years ago really turned me off.

All of their pillar candles smoked horribly-- even with the wicks kept
constantly trimmed. They ended up outside on the porch!

And their votive candles don't burn completely, requiring me to clean out
unburned clumps of wax from even standard-shaped votive holders every time.
The little metal disk from the bottom of the wick was also tough to get out
sometimes. My favorite thing about the paraffin is that they burn down so
well, and with such a consistent flame. And their square metal wick-holder
is so easy to pry out.

Can you tell me about your all-natural beeswax votives and how they burn?

I burn candles for their cheerful & sacred effect in my home -- nothing is
as lovely and calming as beautiful candles in the room!

Thanks for all the information on your website -- it's very nice! I like
that you're a real farm. Are you considering becoming certified organic
anytime soon? That's also important to me, especially for grapes and other
fruits that are conventionally sprayed a lot. I only buy organic fruits &
vegetables in my local market.

Thanks for your time!
Darshana

  • We have just revised the wicks in our votives and tea lites. We use a wick that is made especially for beeswax and the metal wick tab on the bottom we just increased in size. Not burning the wax in the sides of the votive holder is a complaint that my wife also has - so we increased the size of the wick slightly.

    Pillars should not smoke! Occasionally you could have a slight wift of smoke but there should be very little. We test burn all our candles to make sure the pool of wax is correct and the wick is matched to the candle.

    If you have any problems with our candles - just send them back and we will refund your money.

    Bill

10/26/2005 - Seraphim Nichols - Oregon

Please- What is the trick in getting beeswax votives to stay burning? Is it the wick? Cored wicking perhaps?
Thanks- Seraphim Nichols

  • No trick - you just need the correct wick. The wick you are using may be too small - many wicks sold for votives are designed for parraffin candles - beeswax needs a larger wick.

    We use a Large Paper core wick from Pourette Candle co. We also get wicks from Candlewick.com.

    You must try different wicks and test them every time. Bill & Pat

Thank you for your response, and for sharing information. I will be ordering some papercore wicking and try the beeswax votives once again.
I wonder? I have been making 3/4 "x 12" beeswax tapers for a little order of nuns in a convent in the mountains in California. They tell me that the candles burn beautifully half way down and then start dripping like mad. I used the smallest braided candle wicking, but you lead me to believe I should use larger wicking. I thought it might be the reclaimed beeswax. (I melt burnt candles from a parish church and strain it of impurities. I am very controlled with the temperature and everything and it seems ok.) I will try bigger wicking here as well.
Thanks, Seraphim

10/23/2005 - cynthia ford

I enjoyed the information you share on grapes. I moved into a place that has an older grapevine(I don't know the variety (green with seeds) or age. I read that pruning takes place in January. Are the leaves to remain on the vine until then (they are dead and looks bad). I'd apprecitate your input.

  • You can prune grape vines when they are dormant. For a few vines it is best to leave them to early spring - before any buds start growing. The vine is not completely winter hardened yet. Just leave everything as is until spring.

    Grape vine pictorial:
    http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/grapeproject/grapeproject.htm

    Bill

Friday, October 21 - John Errante

  • John


    We just finished the bottles of wine that you dropped off this year and
    I would like to thank you very much.


    I liked the "soft" finish on the foch and the Delaney - what method did
    you use to keep the yeast from fermenting the sugar?


    Also I am not familiar with "Delaney" - is that a vinifera grape - there
    was a nice balance of niagara (a very useful grape)


    Thanks again - Bill

Bill,


Great to hear from you. I'm very surprise that more people don't bring
you bottles of wine when they pick the following year. I love to share
my wine with other wine/grape lovers. Also getting the feedback on what
people think good or bad.


When making the Fosh I use Malolactic cultures (Malolactic Fermentation)
after the primary fermentation.
After 2 to 3 months MLF I racked and bulk aged. Just before I bottled I
put in a product called Wine Conditioner (sugar syrup with POTASSIUM
SORBATE) to taste. You could make it yourself but I just buy it instead
of going thru all the trouble. Sorbate keeps the yeast/sugars from
refermentation starting.


As for the Delaney it's a unknown grape from a gentleman in my office,
from his backyard. I've attached some pictures of the grape. Can you
help me identify what variety it is? I also sweeten this just before
bottling with Wine Conditioner.


I'm very excited about the wine I have going this year St. Pepin, Cayuga
White, Geneva White, Fosh,DeChaunac.
With the white's I'm going to make them semi-sweet and Late Harvest
trying to clone a German Riesling style.
As for the reds no Malolactic fermentation this year. Just a simple red
table wine. I find it hard to make a good full body red like California
wine from Michigan grown grapes. Hopefully you will have some Frontenac
next year. I have read a lot of good thing about the grape.

 

Thanks for the feed back,
John

  • RE - Delaney

    Hard to tell from looking at the pictures. It may be delaware - looks like it - Delaney could be a misname for delaware. Delaware taste very fruity and somewhat labrusca like niagara/concord - but the flavor is a little softer in the wine. Bill

10/21/2005 - Joan

I am looking for a few pure beeswax candles with cotton wicks and no additives in 23oz or 24oz glass apothecary jars. I am surprised to find none on the web because there are so many paraffin wax candles in such jars. Do you have them or can you make them?

Thanks,

Joan Benincasa

10/20/2005- Dolly

Hi, Do you sell white beeswax either in pellets or in "blocks"? If so, what are your prices?
Thanks,
Dolly Traicoff

  • We sell only Natural, Yellow, Unbleached beeswax - straight from the honeybees.

    Bill

10/19/2005 - Pat

Hi, A friend, who raises bees gave us some RED honey. Can you tell me what caused this honey to turn red?

Thanks! Pat Kreutzer

  • Most likely the honey is red due to the floral source. I am not sure what flowers produce a red honey - ask the beekeeper. Most honey is light yellow to amber in color. I have not produced red honey - but it does not surprise me --- enjoy it! Bill

Thanks for the info. The beekeeper said he had no idea, he’s never seen it either.

 

 

10/12/2005 - Kathleen

PLEASE SEND A CATALOG/INFORMATION TO ME.

10/12/2005 - Kelley

A few years ago, while on a retreat, some of the women there told me about a process they used for cleaning out the inner ear drum. They rolled a sheet of pure beeswax around a wick and then, while laying down, placed the candle in the ear and lit it. As it burns it draws the ear wax out. Do you know of this process, and what is it called?
Thanks for your time and response,

Kelley Delauter
The Digital Plumber

  • It is called "Ear Candling" or "Ear Candles"

    Look it up on google - lots of info - we do not carry them.

    Bill

Fri, 14 Oct 2005

Greetings from AghilhaM

Pleased to visit your nice site.
Good site and enjoyable.

Wish you great success.

Regards,
J.Jothiraja
www.aghilham.com
Tamil Nadu
India.

10/7/2005 - Linda

Hello Honeyflow Farms ,

We received your newsletter along with a booklet on making homemade wine and were wondering if you sold wine making supplies? We are looking for (2) carboys (the glass jug you rack the wine into) .

Is honey available from your farm year round? And eventually, we would like to have our own beehives, so do you sell beekeeping supplies?

Maybe we will see you this weekend.

Thank you
Linda Deming

Thu, 6 Oct 2005 - Sue Wills

My name is Sue Wills and my husband and I own Wills Winery (Formerly Vintners Cellar of Lapeer). Thank you for putting us in you website. Can you please update your link to our webpage to www.Lapeerwinery.com, change the name to Wills Winery and last of all the new phone number being 245-WINE. We are offering home vintner supplies in case you have customers that my need something that you do not carry The link you currently have goes to corporate and we have officially broken away from them. Thanks so much again. I am going to be offering classes for next harvest and will be in touch with regarding large groups coming out.

Take Care.
Sue Wills
810-245-WINE

10/6/2005 - David

Do you sell creamed honey if we bring our own jars? What is the cost?

Is comb honey available now (the web site said you were sold out mid-summer)?

Thanks.

David Borland

  • Our creamed honey is basically the raw honey sold at our sales stand for $1.50/lb.

    No comb honey is available this year at all.

    Bill

10/3/2005 - Sue

Good morning Bill!

I bought some of your honey soap and I gave 2 of the bars to some friends who have fallen in love with it. Just to let you know, both of these friends have children with severe eczema and it seems to be clearing it up! I wonder if you have someone in the area who sells the soap? It may be cheaper to pick it up somewhere instead of on line ordering. If not I will order on line.

Thank you!
Sue

  • Our honey soap is made by a lady in Colorada - Our honey is sent to here and she uses a specially designed recipe just for us.

    If you do not want to pay shipping you can pick up and order from our porch. Just make an on-line order and include a messge saying you want to pick up the order - I will not charge the shipping.

    Bill

You are wonderful!
How much longer is your honey available for pick up? It seems that everyone I know is loving your honey and they want more! I may actually have to come get some more! Sorry I didn't know that until last night.
I make up a face wash and honey is a main ingredient, and it seems that everyone is loving it!!

Thanks again Bill!
Have a wonderful day!

Sue

10/4/2005 - Dee

What is the shelf life of the 2.5 lb raw, creamed honey? We would like to order a case, but it would sit in our pantry for over a year. Please advise.

Dee Martin

  • Honey has a virtually unlimited shelf life. It has been found edible in Pharoh's Tomb.

    Most 2.5 lb raw honey is packaged in the fall, allowed to granulate and then sold through the next year.

    Bill

9/29/2005 - Eric

Hello,
My name is Eric and I have 26 acres in Stanly, North Carolina. I plan to purchase 3 hives this coming spring and also plan to plant some grape vines late winter. However, I have been told that the honeybees could damage the grapes and it would not be a good idea to keep bees close to grapes. Do you have any advice for me on this topic? Please email me at esimpson1006@msn.com

Thanks for your time,
Eric Simpson

  • Eric

    Plant your vines and raise your bees. That is completely untrue.

    I have had many colonies alongside the vineyard for many years. One common myth - that I need the bees to pollinate the grapes - also false. The grapes are self pollinating and do not need the bees. Honeybees are usually not interested in grapes at all. The only thing that I can think of that could cause a comment like that is about yellow jackets. (hornets) If we have some bird damage on the grapes there are lots of yellow jackets in the vineyard - but they are removing juice in the pecked clusters - they are not doing the damage.

9/27/2005 - Swati

It just occured to me that I hadn't found out a few questions regarding your Beeswax Candles that I do need to know about. PLEASE ANSWER RIGHT AWAY since my order went through via internet yesterday.

Do you use any chemical processing in the processing of the beeswax that goes into the candles?

Do you filter the beeswax as most other websites said they do?

NEED THESE ANSWERS QUICKLY TODAY PLEASE.

Awaiting Your Reply,
Swati Wilson

  • Swati

    No - we do not use any chemicals in our beeswax at all. Just pure beeswax from local beekeepers.

    We do not filter the wax - just strain in through cheescloth type material.

    Bill

Thanks...good answer !! I'm sure you know that some of the other beeswax sites say that they filter theirs in order to make the candles burn better........why do you think they say that? is there any truth to it? Why do they choose to filter vs what you do?

Thanks for the info...I'm the kind who will spread the work widely including how most of the others - if not all the others do filter - something that I think takes away from the purity of it all. I'm personally getting into beeswax as an air purifying source (negative ions and all)......so it seems I'd want it more pure than filtered.........Howver, do tell me what you know about this filtering vs not matter.

Customer Already,
Swati Wilson

  • Filtering beeswax removes some of the small particles that may be in the wax. It is more important when you are mass producing candles with automated machinery.

    Our candles are all handmade and we use straining (cheesecloth material) and "settling" (the wax debris either floats or settles to the bottom of the tank. This is a more natural procedure. Bill

9/26/2005 - Mu Hansa Mc Gregor

Hi, Thanks for your informative web site. On sweetening wines. I would never use Stevia because it leaves a very strong aftertaste on the palette under normal use. I would dread to think what it would do to my wine. Just my thoughts. Doug.

  • Thank you for your input. I have never used it either - just saw an article from winemaker magazine about it.

    Thanks again - Bill

9/25/2005 - Susan Wills

Just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you for your hospitality. Bill and I have been busy processing our harvest from your vineyard. So far looking gooooood. I anticipate this to be a very fine wine. We are very excited to go through the complete process. This will help us serve home vintner's needs. The experience was so exciting that we anticipate doing this again next year with a twist. We want to offer classes and bring some groups out to join us. I would also like to discuss the possibility of harvesting more next time as well. We would like to carry, not only a US product, but a commodity from our community.

I have ordered a complete line of home vintner's supplies as well as some testing equipment. When things settle down with you please contact me at: 810-245-9348. That is our store's phone number. If you want to put us in your news letter, we would be honored. You can go ahead and refer to us as Wills Winery. The name change should be happening soon.

Thanks again!

Take Care,
Susan Wills
810-245-9348

Sept 26, 2005 - Amy

Hi, I am very interested in the 100% Beeswax candles and in fact, I would like to learn to make my own. However, I cannot find a recipe anywhere that tells me how to do that. Every recipe I have found calls for at least some Parafin wax and I would prefer not to use that due to the fact that it is not good for the environment. Can I just take a recipe and change it to 100% beeswax and not include any Parafin? Hope you can help me out.
Thanks, Amy Brannon

  • I do not know why some people recommend diluting beeswax with parafin. It makes no sense to me at all. They must want to make a cheaper candle. I do not use any parafin at all. You may have to experiment with wick size (maybe use a slightly larger wick with beeswax). - Bill

9/26/2005 - Mary Ann

We are interested in either ivory or white beeswax candles.....12 inch tapers. From your web site, we see only a "gold" color. Is this all you have available? Thank you... M.A.F.

  • We only make candles with standard yellow beeswax. We do not bleach our wax.

    Bill

9/17/2005 - Evie

Hello,
I found your newsletter on-line and wondered if you might be able to help me. Today as I was raking apples, I looked up into the tree and saw the largest honeycomb (don't know if this is the right word) in my life. This thing has to be two feet wide and two feet tall. It scared the bejesus out of me! Anyways, what do I do with it? It seems like it might be useful to someone who cares for bees and a waste to spray it or knock it down. (Besides it seems kinda dangerous to do that.) This thing is HUGE! Any suggestions? I live in Lennon, Mich. Do you know of someone nearby that might know what to do? Thanks if you can help me!
Evie Barella

  • Evie

    It does not sound like honeybees - they rarely build their nests in the open.

    If it is grey, sort of roundish-football shaped and looks like it is made out of paper material - it is probably yellow jackets - hornets.

    If they are bothering you, wait until night and then empty a can or 2 of hornet spray on them.

    Good luck - Bill

Hi Bill,
Thanks for responding so quickly. The nest isn't gray and papery, but it is yellow and I counted 9 rows of honeycombs across it. The bees aren't very aggressive, and they really aren't bothering anything since the tree is toward the back of the yard. Could they be honeybees? The nest is actually lodged between some thicker branches of the tree. Thanks for your help!
Evie

  • After you more detailed description it may be that they are honeybees. Honeybees will rarely build their next without shelter, but there may be enough protection for them for now. It is probably doubtful that they will survive the winter.

    Bill

September 21, 2005 - Threefold Vine, LLC.

Good Morning,

 

I would be interested in buying some st. pepin and maybe horizon. I was wondering if you have grapes already picked? or you only sell U-pick? I would like to buy about 1000+ lbs if available. We would also be interested in having you crush them but it wouldn't be necessary, but maybe that would be easier. We have 55 gallon food grade barrels that the juice could be transferred into or we could by the containers from you. By the looks of your web site you probably already have a good market for your grapes which is great. We have 4 acres of grapes here in the upper peninsula and have plans of opening up a winery next year here on our farm at the Garden Peninsula. Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Andy and Jan Green

Threefold Vine, LLC.

Garden, MI

  • I am sorry but most of our St. Peppin and Horizon are already sold.


    What kind of grapes are you growing up there? What kind of wine are you planning? Where is Garden, MI?

No problem, glad to hear you got it all sold. We are raising about 30 different hybrids to see what will grow and make our winters, but mainly have valiant, lacrosse, foch, gr-7, some unnamed swenson, and ny's, king of the north, and sabrevois. Garden is between Manistique and Escanaba on a peninsula that runs down into lake michigan. We have a fragmented limestone base soil so growing can be a challenge. We started 4 years ago and got a small crop off of the valiant, expect a small crop from the lacrosse, sabrevois, foch and king of the north next year. - Andy

  • Good luck - Try Frontenac - it is extremely winter hardy and makes a very good red wine. - Bill


Forgot to mention we do have a row of frontenac in, that half riparia parentage hates out limey soils. In 4 years we have gotten about 2' to 3' of growth, some vines are about a foot tall after all that time, I keep thinking they may take off and grow, maybe next year.

Personally I think frontenac is way over rated and the U of Minn it trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat for a cold weather grape. It does make a great red but in warmer climate, seems sales for the rose' is working good in colder climates. I haven't tried any but I keep hearing that landot 4511, one of the parents of frontenac, is suppose to make a great red on it's own, just hasn't been acepted by traditional grape growers. We have a few vines just to try and see if I can get them to mature, you should have no problems getting them to make it by you, it's hardier than boco, more in the lines of foch.

 

9/15/2005 - Judy

I am interested in coming to your farm to pick some grapes and also purchase honey.
Do I bring containers to pick the grapes in?
Also I have some honey jars, should I bring my own?
Thank you, Judy

  • We do have 1/2 bushel picking bags available although many people bring there own buckets and bushels.

    Bring you own containers for honey for the best price. Bill

9/14/2005 - DRIandSLI@aol

Thank you for taking my e mail. I have a small patch of concord grapes in my back yard and they are plentiful this year. I wish to make some homemade jelly but am not sure when to pick the grapes. My mother years ago told me to always wait until after the first frost to get the sweetest flavor. Can you help me with any information. I live in Marysville Mi now that I have found your farm I am looking for ward to coming and visit. Thanks you Sharon

  • You do not have to wait until a frost to pick any grapes - however concord is a later ripening vairety and a few more weeks would not hurt. We are starting to pick concord this weekend.

    Bill

9/13/2005 - Phyllis A. Jubelt

Would like to know if you would juice my home grown seedless grapes. I
left a message on your answering service, but decided to do this also.
Thank you. Mrs. J.

  • We do not custom press grapes that people bring to us.

    We do have a crusher stemmer that you can use for .05/lb - you bring grapes and pails to put the must in and you do it yourself - but not pressing.

    Bill


At 07:23 PM - Tim

Hi,
I was wondering if there would still be any Foch grapes left on Friday afternoon/saturday morning? I wanted to pick enough for 5 gallons of wine so about 2 full bushels, right? Have you tested % soluble sugars and acidity in a batch of foch juice?
Also, if it rains by the weekend, will that dilute the quality of the grapes?
Also, what yeast strain would you recommend using with Foch, and do you have any kind of supplies available at your farm for purchase?
Thanks in advance, if you wouldn't mind answering my questions,
Tim Moritz

  • 2 bushels will be just perfect for 5 gallons and they should be available this weekend. I have not tested sugar/acidity. Rain would not dilute the juice. I use montrachet or pasteur red yeast most of the time. (available at vineyard) Bill

9/9/2005 - Roger

I have always used a figure of a 36 lb case making two gallons of red.
Primarily Concorde but most grapes fit. That equates to 18 lb per gallon.
You are figuring 12 lb per gallon......How does that happen?

I will probably be looking for 200 lbs niagra and maybe 300 lbs a good red.....not concorde. What is next week look like?

Roger L. Ruhmann

  • I usually tell people to pick 60 lb (1.5 bushels) to make 5 gallons of wine. It is an average. Some grapes yield more juice than others. That is for red wines when they are fermented on the skin - they will yield more since the skins are softer and broken down.

    A 36lb case pressed for white wine may yield less juice.

    Next week should be ok for Niagara.

    Bill

8/15/2005 - Sue

I am interested in purchasing your raw unprocessed honey. Can you give me details on what to bring to store honey and how this works? I have been taking the apple cider vinegar and honey and so has my daughter and we are using quite a bit. I just wondered what the cost is and how this is done!

Thanks for your help!
Sue

  • Mid September on the weekends is a good time to come out for raw honey.

    You can bring any container you like. Quart jars, pails, etc and we will fill them from the bulk tank at our stand.

    Cost is $1.50/lb.

CAN YOU SEND ME DIRECTIONS TO YOUR FARM? OR AN ADDRESS AND I WILL LOOK IT UP ON MAP QUEST.
I LIVE IN OXFORD.

THANKS!
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
SUE

9/7/2005 - jgraham@plastecheng

Will the grapes continue to ripen after they are picked? My wife likes sweeter wines.

 

From our Harvest 2005 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter


Bee Pollen? Pectin in bulk, Vignoles juice, Best grapes for wine, Grapes in Chicago, Newsletter - Freezer jam, Opening earlier this year? Won a medal in State Fair with his wine, What to do with beeswax, Raw honey, When to pick grapes, Wicks for votives, Bulk honey price, Frontenac grapes, Nuisance bees, Jelly Bags, Nice website, Tours? Africanized bees, More nuisance bees, White beeswax.

8/26/2005 - tnrobertb

Do you sell bee pollen?

  • No - We just sell honey and beeswax candles. - Bill

8/24/2005 - Don Shook

I am trying to find someplace i can purchase jam making pectin in bulk. do u have a suggestion? thnx!!!!!!!!

  • Most people just get it from the grocery store. Maybe you should try a wholesale food distributor? - Bill

8/22/2005 - Larry Black

Do you have any vignole grape juice for sale that is pure and not mixed?Let me know thanks if so i would like order 10 gallons of it.

  • The crop of vignoles is not huge this year and we are not picking it for straight juice - You may come out and pick it yourselves however. - Bill

8/16/2005 - Ken

Good morning,

To save some time in the fall when I come to pick grapes, I would like to know what brand name grape is the sweetest to pick.
Thank You.

  • That question gets asked a lot and is impossible to answer. It depends if you are picking grapes for wine, juice, seedless, or jelly, and what I like is not always the same as your tastes. You have to taste them and decide. - Bill

Thanks for the reply Bill. I'm looking for a sweet red grape for making wine and a sweet green grape for making a fruity wine. If that don't help, I'll just have to taste them to find out like you suggested. Oh, by the way, when does the first day start for picking? - Thanks Ken

  • Sounds like you may like a buffalo or concord for red wine and niagara for white. Picking starts Sept 2

8/20/2005 - chris willy

Dear Sirs, Help! we have a bounty of grapes (small white ones) on our vines this year, they are already fragrants while still on the vine, their taste is also fragrant but a bit sour. How do we make wine from these? should we pick them now and refrigerate till we are ready to go. What is involved? It is just one grapevine about 4 years old. This is it's first harvest. We would love to try to make wine. Can you help us fast? Please and thank you... The Willys of chicago

8/20/2005 - Nancy Stevenson

Dear Sir: Is there a charge for the Honey Flow Farm News Letter? If not I would enjoy receiving your newsletter.

Also I am looking for the pricing for the grapes that will be available for U PICK on September 2nd. I did not see it. A question; is there a recipe for grape freezer jam that you know of?

I enjoy your honey products. I am looking for raw honey. Do you carry raw honey?

Thank you for your assistance.

Nancy Stevenson

8/21/2005 - Jim

Hi Bill,

I hope all is well and you've had a pleasant summer, it certainly has been a hot and dry one for a change. I assume you may be opening up earlier this year?

Jim

  • Hi Jim

    I just got through spraying the vineyard for the last time and was thinking about what you were doing - I just came in & checked my mail.

    This spray actually started last weekend - my sprayer pump lost a bearing 1/3 way thru and it took a week to fix it.

    We will be opening Fri Sept 2 - But with lots of stuff ripe. I probably have as much stuff ripe now as when we opened up last year - and we still have 2 weeks to ripen.

    The vines look better than last year - although we are still fighting winter damage and small crops on some rows (No baco, small cayuga & vignoles) I have been rototilling the vine row centers this year & along with fertilizer and heat, the vines have very good growth.

    We have a lot more concord & niagara available this year.

    See ya soon - Bill

8/16/2005 - Paul Sbraccia

I wanted to let you know that last October I picked 30 lbs of Concord, 15 lbs of Buffalo and 15 lbs of Steubin grapes and made a 'Concord Blanc" which won a blue ribbon in the Michigan State Fair.

I will be seeing you each week you are open this fall.

Sincerly, Paul Sbraccia

  • Great Job - Bill

8/16/2005 - Pam

hello ! i was looking at your web site and i appreciate the recipes ! i was given about 75 lbs of wax and it is in clumps .... does this matter ? it is a bright gold and was taken from a man's bee farm . i haven't usee it before and was searching the internet for uses ..... any suggestions would be appreciated ! thanks, pam /arkansas

8/15/2005 - Sue

I am interested in purchasing your raw unprocessed honey. Can you give me details on what to bring to store honey and how this works? I have been taking the apple cider vinegar and honey and so has my daughter and we are using quite a bit. I just wondered what the cost is and how this is done!

Thanks for your help!
Sue

  • Mid September on the weekends is a good time to come out for raw honey.

    You can bring any container you like. Quart jars, pails, etc and we will fill them from the bulk tank at our stand.

    Cost is $1.50/lb.

8/13/2005 - Katherine

My (4) grape vines DID NOT produce very many grapes this year. I will need to pick some at a U-pick like your place. Last year (2004) my vines were loaded!!

This is the first year I'm experimenting with making home-made wine.

I think one type is concord (dark purple) and the other is a red grape. Should I wait until after the first frost to pick OR should I pick before the first frost. I'll be getting my equipment soon and will be using a hydrometer.

When do you pick your grapes for winemaking and what variety do you grow?

Thanks for any help, Katherine in Wheeler MI

8/17/2005 - Sharon Isbister

Hello Bill,

Thankyou for your advice on using "Pourette, med paper core wick" for my tealights. It works awesome!
What size wick would you suggest for votives?
I really appreciate all the advice you freely give me, I guess thats lots of years of experience speaking?

Thankyou very much

Sincerely

Sharon Isbister
Canada

  • I use large paper core wicks for the votives. - Bill

8/7/2005 - Peter

Please send prices of bulk honey if I pick up myself with my own containers.
I am looking for at least 150 lbs.
Can you accommodate?

Thank you.
Peter Carbone

8/4/2005 - John

Bill,

I was reading one of your old news letters. It stated that you would will have a crop in 2005.
What's the status on possibly picking some Frontenac grapes this year?
Also what row are they planted in? I planted 12 Frontenac myself this year.

  • John
    This is our 3rd years with the frontenac and they are doing quite good. However I do not see much crop - only about a gallons worth. We have 3 rows - rows 73, 74 & 75. - Bill

8/2/2005 - Jim

Hi,

I have what appears to be a honey bee hive in the rock surround of a backyard pond. Rather than killing the bees – if in fact it were legal – would it be possible for a beekeeper to remove them for me and what would be the cost of such a procedure? Thank you for your prompt response.

Cheers, Jim Utsler
Chelsea, MI

  • If these insects are living in the ground - I do not think that they are honeybees. Most likely they are yellow jackets (hornets/wasps). They may be killed with wasp killer spray from a hardware store. - Bill

Thanks for the e-mail. I’ve used spray on both hornets and wasps (although it seems to be a never-ending process), and based on the research I’ve done, I’m pretty sure they’re honey bees. And a lot of them. My wife is allergic, which is my primary motivation to get rid of them. Any further assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again. - Jim

  • f your wife is allergic I would certainly get rid of them.

    Wait until dark (all the bees will be home) and empty a whole can of wasp killer into the cavity - you may have to repeat this the next night or so.

    Or- get an exterminator. - Bill

7/30/2005 - oneheartofgold2000

I have been searching everywhere for a jelly bag for making jelly---any suggestions.

  • You might want to try Presque Isle Wine Cellars - We get some nylon strainer bags from them - That might be what you are looking for.
    http://www.piwine.com/ - Bill

7/23/2005 - Max

Bill: I love to spend time on your web site. You have produce a really
really good 'web site.' There is never a time I don't come away with some
learned information. For your clients that make wine etc they must really
feel they've found a great resource.
Blessings to you and your excellent work you do.
In Harmony, Max

  • Thanks for the comments - Bill

7/21/2005 - Suzi

I would like to plan a weekend trip that includes a tour of your winery…Could you please send information on hours and tours?
Thanks
Suzi

  • Suzi

    We are not a winery - and do not conduct tours.

    However - we are open for U-Pick grapes that are sold to wine makers in September. Many people get groups together and come out to our farm to pick wine, jelly and seedless grapes, Honey from our 55 gallon barrel and Beeswax Candles. We are open weekends in September. I will send you a notice. - Bill

7/22/2005 - Sherleen

I live in Eugene Oregon and think I have African hybridized bees at my house. They act differently - are more aggressive than the swarm that moved in in June.

Have you heard of them being in Oregon?

Thanks, Sherleen

  • Sherleen

    It is possible that they could be africanized bees, but not likely - I have not heard of africanized bees that far north.

    It is more likely that if they moved in as a swarm in June (typical time) the size of the colony was much smaller and now they are building up to normal strength and are able to properly defend they colony.

    Either way - If they are a nuisance - call an exterminator and have them removed.

    Bill

7/18/2005 - K.Sansonetti

Hi,
We're in the Holly area. We recently found a big ctive beehive in a tree right by our house.
I'm looking for suggestions for what to do, other than to kill the bees.
We're having an outdoor party in 2 weeks and I don't want to put anyone in danger.
They mind their own business, but we're concerned.
Any ideas?
K.Sansonetti

  • K.Sansonetti

    If the bees are a swarm - a football shaped/size cluster in the tree branches and NOT moved inside a tree cavity - they will most likely leave within a few days.

    If they are inside a tree, they will be there permanently. If they are a nuisance they must be removed or destroyed. It is very difficult to find a beekeeper who will try to remove them this late in the year.

    Bill

7/17/2005 - D. Traicoff

Hi,
Do you sell white beeswax, either in pellet form or block form?
Thanks,
D. Traicoff


From our Summer 2005 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter

Nuisance honeybees? Votive burn time, Growing grapes in England, Karl Bailey info, LBS of grapes for 5/50 gallons wine, Pruning grapes, Selling tapers, Grapes at wedding, Purchasing queens, Shipping grape juice, Deer in his vineyard, Stinky honey, Grape growing classes, Starter hive, This month's candle winner, Grape leaves.

7/5/2005 - Kat

I have a neighbor that has honey bees. I thought that was cool at first, =
but know it has become a problem for me and my kids. The bees seem to =
like my pool and the filter to the pool. I can not change the filter =
because the bees are all over it. The kids are becoming afraid to play =
in the pool, because the bees are on their toys. And in the water. I put =
out mouth balls thinking that would keep the bees back, but that did =
nothing. What can we do? I think he has 5 hives, What I have read about =
bees, does not sound to promising. If the queen lays 1,500 eggs a day =
I'm fighting a end less battle. How can we keep the bees away?
Kat

  • Have you talked to the beekeeper about this? The honeybees need water - sometimes if he keeps water nearby his bees, like a board with a hose dripping on it the bees will be more attracted to the closer water source. Moth balls will do nothing. This is sometimes a problem with bird feeders. - Bill

7/4/2005 - elizabeth

hi, i want to order votives in bulk for my wedding but cant find the burn time on your site? is it 15 hours? please advise.

thank you! elizabeth

  • elizabeth

    Our votives are full size votives, burn time 12 to 15 hrs.

    Bill

Thu, 30 Jun 2005 - MICHAEL


DEAR SIRS

PICS BELOW SHOW MY VINE WITH ROOTS IN OPEN GROUND AND GROWTH IN GREENHOUSE. I HAVE ONE HORIZONTAL ROD, AND FOUR VERTICAL CANES. VINE IS 5 OR 6 YEARS OLD BUT NO GRAPES. AM I DOING THE RIGHT THING, AND HOW CAN I ENCOURAGE FLOWERING PLEASE.

MANY THANKS - MICHAEL

  • Where are you located? What kind of climate? Why are you using a greenhouse?

    Grapes will grow from shoots on last years wood. Your main trunk looks older than that. Did you prune all of the previous years growth off of it - that would cause no crop. Anyway - I have never seen vines grown like this - are you in Alaska?   Bill

DEAR BILL

I LIVE IN EAST SUSSEX, ENGLAND. I NOW REALISE THAT I
HAVE PROBABLY OVERPRUNED MY VINE. I AM TRYING TO COPY
THE ONE AT HAMPTON COURT.
I AM ALSO SEMI-DISABLED AND REACH IS LIMITED.

MANY THANKS - MICHAEL

  • It looks like you have a "horizontal" trunk with 3 new canes (this year) growing vertically. Let them grow this year and next year leave the 3 vertical canes about 3-4 feet. Grapes will grow off of these canes in 2006 - Bill

DEAR BILL

MANY THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE. WILL KEEP FINGERS
CROSSED.
WILL SEND YOU PIC WHEN GRAPES HAVE FORMED.

MANY THANKS - MICHAEL

++++++++++++++++++++

DEAR BILL

TWO LAST QUESTIONS BILL, DO I GROW REPLACEMENT CANES
EACH YEAR AND HOW MANY BUNCHES SHOULD I ALLOW TO
DEVELOPE. ?

MANY THANKS

MICHAEL

  • Yes - you need new canes every year. Grapes are produced from canes from the previous years growth. Next year leave the verticle canes on - about 2-3 feet or so and they will bear fruit. The year after that - leave short (2-5 bud) spurs on those verticle shoots (now woody trunks) and those spurs will bear fruit. Or renew the verticle canes with new ones in the spring. - Bill

DEAR BILL

THANKS FOR YOUR AIIVICE.
I MAY TRY BOTH METHODS.
HOW LONG DOES THE FIVE BUD SYSTEM LAST.

MANY THANKS - MICHAEL

  • The whole idea is to prune a vine to:

    1 - A semi woody trunk - which no fruit will grow from
    &
    2 - A number of last years buds. I does not matter if they are all on one long shoot with 30 buds or 6 - 5 bud spurs that are spaced out on a woody trunk. We prune our vines to 30 to 60 buds - depending on how strong the vine is. The previous years growth will look different in the spring than older woody growth. The purpose of pruning is to limit the number of last years buds so that the vine will not weaken and the fruit will ripen properly. You need to establish 30 buds every year - by using longer canes or shorter spurs. - Bill

 


6/27/2005 - Rima Nickell

Hello Bill and Pat.

I am writing a food column for a Web magazine. I am recalling when our family used to go to the Bailey Orchards in the 1950s to pick peaches, sweet corn, and I think, cherries. Later, my father, Walter Nickell of the Cranbrook Institute of Science and Karl traveled to Central America, my father as an ornithological researcher;Karl, for the adventure and to support the scientific expedition.

The subject of my present column is U-pick operations as a part of celebrating locally-grown food. I believe Karl was a pioneer in this and, as you doubtless know, U-pick has become one of the diverse ways small farmers have devised to survive the industrialization of agriculture. I would like to include Karl and his ingeniuity in agriculture in my column and would appreciate any information you might forward to me about this. I and looking for ways to recognize small farmers such as you in the Detroit area and wider southeastern Michigan and would like your permission to mention you in this or future columns.

Please send me your phone number. If it would be convenient, I would like to talk to you and ask specific questions about Karl. One important item is where his farm was located in the "50s. Do recall the specific part of Bloomfield Hills? I remember standing on ladders picking peaces, plucking ears of cprn from the stalks, but I don't recall the drive to the orchards. Do you have any photos of Karl or his vineyard you would share for the column. I can't pay you. I don't get paid, myself. I do this as a retired organic produce grower and to support your courageous small farmers and food producers.

I read with interest your article "Getting Started," Bravo for your courage in pursuing this good work.

Rima Nickell

  • Rima Nickell

    Karl Bailey was very instrumental in my grape growing endeavours. Our vineyard is very much like what he had many years ago, We sell all our grapes U-Pick. Some of the plant material even came from Karl's vineyard. We use a grape crusher that he had at his place.

    I new Karl in the 70's. I purchased a lot of split black locust posts that he had cut from trees (I think) on his place, vineyard wire and bird netting. His vineyard was on Adams Road, on the East side, about a half mile north of Long Lake Rd (18 Mile).

    Karl also was a beekeeper, although I did not have bees when I new him. I do not have any photos of Karl. You may check the Detroit News or Free Press in the 70's. I know they had any article about him installing bird netting at one time.

    That all I can think of for now. Ok to use any material here, or on our site for an article.   Good Luck - Bill

6/25/2005 - Jerry

The question I have is how many lbs of grapes does it take to make a 5 gal of wine. Planning on making approximately 50 gals of wine. I would also like to know what the cost of your grapes are, and how are the sold? By the lb or lug, also how many lbs are there in a lug?

Thank you, for your assistance in this matter.

Jerry

6/22/2005 - Sue Savage

Hello, I purchased a home with grapevines and I would like to keep them. They have not been pruned for several years. The trellis is breaking, Illl repair that after this season. I dont know much about grapes, pruning or general care. I do know they are a green grape variety with seeds. I have 4 main trunks that are about 1.5 inches in diameter. One trunk is split badly. Could you give me a starting point? Is it best to prune the vines back after any chance of frost in the Spring, or in the Fall?

Thank you.

Sue Savage

  • Sue

    It is easiest to prune vines in the spring before the buds start growing (Late April). Most people leave too many trunks - 2 are fine. I would just cut down the extra ones in the spring. Grapes only grow from shoots grown the pervious season - so the extra trunks do not do anything. Leave some long shoots (or some short spurs) next spring at the top.

    Here are some pictures of vines being pruned:
    http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/grapeproject/grapeproject.htm

    Bill

6/14/2005 - Kimber

Bill, Well, I started at our local farmers market with our honey and 10 in tapers to start. The display looked great to me. With 15,000 people coming through, I only sold one pair of candles. ( although honey sales were good.) I am hearing great stories of others selling candles very well. Any suggestions sight unseen? Thank you, Kimber

  • We have always been successful selling honey but beeswax candles are a smaller and more distinct market. Our candles have been in farmers markets and roadside stands and did not do as well as we have liked.

    We have been much more successfull selling on line as the smaller group of people that appreciate beeswax candles can be reach more easily.

    Keep plugging away!

    Bill

6/10/2005 - Sherri Jordan

Greetings!
After falling in love with pictures of & the idea of a wedding & wedding cake, using tiny champagne (or another type) grapes for the decorations, instead of flowers...We are both very much wine & mead fans & met at a tasting...I am going out of my mind trying to locate a source to get a case (lug?) sent here in September (buy the 14th)
I just discovered your fantastic site & fell in love with it in general, but hoped you, of all places, might be able to help!
Any info, direction or validation that you can get some, would be ever so gratefully appreciated! Everything else is falling together except this one most important detail!!!
Warm Regards, Sherri Jordan

  • I am sorry but we do not ship grapes. We have been to a wedding where they had the "champagne (tiny) grapes" available and they were delicious.

    Good luck with your wedding plans.

    Bill

6/12/2005 - Artûras

Hello ,
I am Artûras.I live in Lithuania and i am groving honeybees.I want to wish you good luck with your honeybees and i want to ask where could i buy your rase bee queens in internet?Preliminary thank you and i am waiting your responce.
Artûras.

  • I do not see bee or queens - but I have purchased queens from Glenn Apiaries
    http://members.aol.com/queenb95/

    Bill

6/14/2005 - duwayne

Honeyflo:

Do you mail juice to people, say like in North Carolina and if so what would be the charge for 10 gallons or more or up to 50 gallons. Do you have concentrated juice?

Thanks - duwayne50

  • We only sell juice at our vineyard and cannot ship it.

    Bill

6/8/2005 - Bob Kasper

Can you tell me if there is such an insect as a grape vine cut worm? I am loosing the tops of all of my new growths due to a clean horizontal cut straight through.

  • Yes there is a insect called the "climbing cutworm" - but I would bet anything that the problem is 4 legged (deer). I have a terrible time with new vines, the deer just eat all of the new succulent growth (just like celery). I was unable to plant in one area until I started using "grow tubes". You put a bamboo stake by the new vine and a 4 inch wide by 3 ft tall tube is slid in it. It is removed later in the season. Many times the deer just eat the suckers off the base of the vines and do no damage. Are these small vines and how far above the ground is the damage?

    Bill

***********************

Bill,

The new growth, extending from the trunks, is 3-4 feet above ground. No deer tracks near the vines-haven't seen a deer since last Fall. So how does one deal with the "climbing cutworms?" That has to be what the problem is.

Bob

***********************

  • It still sounds like a deer problem to me - the height is perfect. Are these older vines?

    Bill

***********************

New York and do plan to contact Cooperative Extension tomorrow. In the meantime I did two things: spread some fireplace ashes around each plant and placed two small cans of beer in the ground in an attempt to drown those rascals invited to drink. Nice talking to you-bookmarked your reference. Thanks.

Kasper

May 31, 2005 - Jacli Primo

Hi, I have asked before and not received a response but some things are worth the pursuit, so I am trying again : Do you also sell the grapes from the vineyard? We are an alcohol free family with a committment to whole food living and would absolutely love to have access to actual fresh grapes direct from the vineyard. Please let us know. Thanks, Jacli

  • Jacli Primo

    I am sorry but we do not ship grapes. We tried years ago to ship some to my parents in Florida - but they arrived as mush. - Bill

Oh! Oh well, at least we can take part in your awesome honey. We ran out and had to buy some from the local store. My daughter refers to it as the stinky honey!

We are absolutly in love with your honey so I guess we'll settle for that :)

Blessings, Jacli

5/19/2005 - Pat Riley

Hello--I am hoping that someone might be able to help us find package bees....or at least tell us where to look. We are getting a late start due to the bitter cold weather we have had in the Upper Peninsula this Spring. We had freezing rain last Sunday and temps have been in the low 20s at night. We have two new hives to fill. Do you have any idea who might have bees for us this late in the season. Any help would be deeply appreciated. Hope to hear from you.
Thanks
Pat Riley

  • I do not have good sources for package bees, I would suggest looking in Gleanings or American bee Journal for bee suppliers. Bees may be in short supply this year.

    Good Luck - Bill

5/22/2005 - Teena Molitor

Hello,

My husband is looking for a "starter" hive of bees. Do you sell them or
know where we might find a hive for sale in Michigan?

Thank You,
Teena Molitor

  • Many people purchase honeybees through package bee shippers down in the southern states and have them mailed up here - although bees are hard to find this year.

    Check on our resource page

    Bill

Tue, 17 May 2005 - Susan Sterner

Subject: great newsletter!
To: newsletter@honeyflowfarm.com


I enjoy your professional and very interesting newsletter.
Congratulations on your daughter's wedding!
Sue Sterner

Mon, 16 May 2005 - Tara

This month's candlewinner!

I can't believe that I was picked! I'm excited.


Thank you,
Tara

5/8/2005 - Clarence in Kaiserslautern

I am an American GI (Retired) living in Germany and my yard abounds with grapes late each year. I want to do something with the leaves. Any suggestions?

Clarence in Kaiserslautern

  • Clarence
    Here is some info on preserving grapes leaves:
    Preserving grape leaves to stuff with any mixture you desire using your own fresh young grape leaves.The grape leaves should be picked in the spring and remove the tough stem.
    1 quart young spring grape leaves, about stem end removed
    2 teaspoons kosher salt, in
    1 quart water
    1 cup fresh lemon juice or 2 1/2 teaspoons citric acid
    1 quart water
    35 minutes 15 mins prep


    1. Bring salted water to a boil.
    2. Add washed grape leaves and blanch for 30 seconds.
    3. Drain.
    4. Stack them on each other into 2 piles then form into loose rolls and stand each roll up in 2 pint canning jars.
    5. Add lemon juice or citric acid to the second quart of water and bring to a boil.
    6. Fill jars within 1/2 inch of top with the hot mixture.
    7. Seal.
    8. Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.


    More links:
    How to Preserve Grape Leaves - Pickling Style
    http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/techniques/r/PGrapeLeaves.htm

    Grape Leaves Down Under - 58 recipes for stuffed grape leaves.
    http://fooddownunder.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?q=grape+leaves

    Good Luck - Bill

From our Spring 2005 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter

Wants to start a vineyard, Honey Bee Wax for sealing/finishing brick floors, Raw Beeswax sales, Grammar correction, Pruning vines, Honey/Soap comments and new recipes, Raw beeswax, Observing honeybees, Thanks for the fast shipping and a quality product, Availability of de-stemmer and a crusher, Double trunk vines, Candle making supplies, Ordering grape juice, Tealite wicks.

5/1/2005 - Sharon - Canada

Hello there,
I emailed you a couple of months ago, concerning dipping tapers. I was having some air pockets, you suggested I turn the temperature up on my tank, and it worked! my tapers are beautiful now.
I have a question regarding beeswax tealights. I too use unrefined beeswax, i strain it through cheesecloth. I am finding it difficult to find the right wick. what size wick do you use? when lit, do your tealights have a nice flame to them?
I find it so strange when i use 2 same wicks, wax from the same tank, and they still both burn differently. Sometimes, one will burn nicely(nice flame, wax melting from sides of tealight cup) the other, will start out good, then seem to almost extinguish itself.
HELP!!
any suggestions?

thankyou
Sharon
Canada

  • Sharon

For my tealites I use a Pourette, medium paper core wick and for my votives I use a large paper core wick.
http://www.pourette.com/

It sounds like the wick you are using is too small. Beeswax needs a larger wick than parraffin.

Bill

Do you make your own pre-tabbed tealight wicks? does Pourette sell tealight wicks, I didn't see any. Thankyou so much for taking the time to respond to me, I'm going nuts trying to find the right wick. Do you know if Pourette sends out free samples?

Sharon

  • I make my own with their 5/8 inch metal wick tabs. The premade wicks by pourette will not work right with beeswax.

Bill

5/5/2005 - newdjz

i got your other email and again could not download your catalog and i know the feeling about that !@@#$%^^&*(() spam. is there some other place where i can get the catalog.

I just tested it and it appears to be working ok. You can click on it to view it or right-click to download it to your computer.

AI must apologize since the catalog is not up to date - we have added a lot more candles since the first of the year. It's revision is on my "to do " list.

Bill

5/4/2005 - larry black

Hi,
Can I preorder grape juice for this seasons crop?Let me know thanks.

  • It is probably too early to order juice, I am afraid I would lose track of the order, and I am not even sure of the crop yet.

Please wait until about mid-august or when you receive the fall harvest newsletter.

Bill

4/26/2005 - Kimber Bennett

Dear Honeyflow Farm,

My hubby ran my families 5 generation 4000 colony apiary, but sold out to move to Alaska. We are now hobbyists with 20 to 40 hives depending on the winter, but we are determined to keep at it. My hubby will always have bees in his blood. :) My children and I sell our little bit of honey at the farmers markets and I am wanting to make and sell tapers. I'm sure we will have to buy beeswax, as our cappings probably can't keep up, although we processed about 17 pounds for a season, enough for quite a few tapers for me. (Wow, wouldn't I love to have some of the tons of wax we processed back then, and took for granted.) I found your wonderful site online, read your readers letters, and want to thank you for your kind and thoughtful help to all. A rare item these days. My question is, what size and type wick do you buy for the 7/8 tapers? Do you have a source you like. I have seen different answers, but think you are the one to ask. Do you think tapers are the one item to sell if I could only choose one type of candle? I am still trying to figure out a good dipping vat, although my always busy hubby could come up with sonething. Thank you for the time taking the pics of the frames and process. May the Lord bless your harvest. Kimber Bennett

  • Kimber

I purchase a lot of candle making supplies from:
http://www.pourette.com/

For my 7/8 tapers I use a #2 square braid wick (sb25-2c)

Our hand dipped tapers and pillars are our largest selling item. I think it is best to have many items to sell if possible.

Good Luck - Bill

4/24/2005 - NICKCGFTI

Do you plant 2 plants for your double vine bases ?

  • I have only 1 vine every 8 foot in the row. You can have as many trunks as you want. Most vineyards have only 1, we do 2 in case we lose one to disease. You can then get a full crop off of the other one. I do not recommend more than 2 normally.

Sorry, still a bit confussed. Do I plant two vines in the same location to achieve the two trunks.

  • No - only one vine.

How do you achieve two trunks from one plant ?

  • A grape vine will send up lots of shoots or suckers. Even with mature vines there are always extra ones growing that are usually removed. You could have a dozen trunks if you wanted but most people just prune off the extra ones. The young shoots are tied up to the first wire and after a few years they increase in size to what you see as a "trunk" Sometimes I have a 2 trunk vine with one very large trunk and an additional small one. Bill

Thank you very much.

God bless and wish you a great crop !

Nick

4/21/2005 - Billy Byrd

Dear sir,

I'm a farm that is looking to start a Vineyard. I'm 30 years old and I have a 36 acre. I got about 10 acre that I can grow grapes.

I have some questions. if you could answer them.

what is the best type of vine to use?

are you selling the wine? If so what licenses do you have to have?

i guess that all for now i may have more later.

Thanks so much!

Billy Byrd

  • Sounds like you have caught the winemaking/growing bug.

You need to do some research about what wineries in NC are growing - most likely many of the varieties we grow in Michigan.

Do you want to start a winery? Sell table grapes?

We do not sell wine - just fresh fruit (grapes) to home winemakers. You DO need a license to make wine, I do not believe it is hard to get - but you need a lot of research and experience about winemaking to successfully make and market the product.

Good Luck - Bill

  • Dear Mr. Schnute

    I got the Email. And I love the answers.

    Thanks so much!

    And I'm going to make wine.
    i got my Mom and Dad in now they think we can make some money in it.

    I may have some more questions later.

    Thanks again

    Billy Byrd

4/20/2005 - Tom & Clare Bramlette

Do you have any information concerning the use of Honey Bee Wax for sealing/finishing brick floors in kitchens, foyers, etc. I know it has been used for
many years to seal brick floors, but can find no information/products for doing so. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Tom & Clare Bramlette

am sorry - I have no info on sealing brick floors. It is probably used in a mix with other compounds. Bill

4/11/2005 -Black Swamp Percussion

Dear Honey flow farm
I was wondering if you sold just the raw Beeswax. Please contact me. Thank you.
Joe Koblinski

Thanks - Bill

3/19/2005 - Angele Micki Smith

Hi, hope you don't think this is nit-picking, but I'm sure you would like to know this.


In your Monthly Drawing section, it states
"One pair........are mailed out at every issue..."
It should read "One pair...is mailed...".

English was my favorite subject.

  • Thank you for the correction. I think we are going to change the whole paragraph - It is too wordy. - Bill

 

4/2/2005 - Ira Kipp

Hi,
I have one grape vine. Each year I go through the traumatic excercise of pruning. I really never know what to prune. Your web site is the best I've seen to explain how to prune.

4/2/2005 - Stopinski, Barb

Hello, I just wanted to let you know again that I really like your honey. Questions and comments:

1. Can I stop by the farm and fill a jar with honey at this time of the year?

2. I wanted to tell you that your honey is wonderful in homemade soap but when I visited your website today, I see that you are selling honey soap. So, you figured it out!

I make my own cold process soap (with lye) and of course add your honey. Wonderful stuff - both the honey and the soap!

3. I have a wonderful honey recipe that I would like to share. It is a home remedy for colds, cough and congestion that really works - or at least for me.

1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Mix the two together and eat once a day until symptoms disappear. I only took it for 3 days.

4. Another wonderful recipe is for a face mask that the ladies will enjoy.

1 egg yolk
1 or 2 tablespoons honey

Mix the two together very well until it is creamy. If it's too thin, add a little more honey. When first mixing, it will look separated. Keep mixing with a spoon - it will blend very well. Apply to the face avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 20 minutes and then rinse off. You won't believe how soft your skin will be. This is also great for wrinkles.

Thanks for posting my honey questions in your September, 2003 newsletter.

By the way, I find beekeeping absolutely fascinating. I am not a beekeeper but I've had a chance to observe the taking of the honey out of the hive. I was right there dressed in appropriate clothing observing the wonders of nature. For some reason, bumblebees and other flying insects seem to enjoy making nests in my yard. Must be the hundreds of flowers I grow. I welcome them all and allow them to use my yard in any way they want and for as long as they need it. And this brings me to a question that I have:

I found a yellow jacket in my house a couple of weeks ago. I had heard that they can overwinter in a cold place so I placed him in a jar in the refrigerator. I poked holes in the lid for air. I put in pieces of paper towel in there and he seems to be sleeping and still moving. Is this a good way to overwinter them? If I let him out in the warm spring, will he survive or do they all die over winter? This is probably a dumb question but I find bees, wasps and yellow jackets to be invaluable in the garden so terefore I want to protect them when in any way I can.

Thanks.

  • Barb

Our sales stand is not open off season - I am sorry but you have to wait until the fall. Sometimes people who want PAILS of honey can order them and pick them up from our porch.

Thank you for the soap comments - people seem to like the honey soap very much.

Thank you for the recipes - they will be in the next newsletter and on our recipe page.

I am not an expert about yellow jackets - most people view them as a nuisance, but since they are also meat eaters they are very good for destroying webworms - those webby nests you see in tree in the spring/summer.

Bill

4/1/2005 - Keith & Cathy

Hello,

Just looking for a status report on when we can expect to purchase some Beeswax.
Any idea when? Can I pre order? Please respond.

Thank you,
Keith & Cathy

Bill

3/26/2005 - kaseycostello23

kasey costello wrote:

I am looking for information so that I'd would be able to do the following:
put on a bee suit and observe
go to a farm where the honey is collected.. fresh
please let me know where I will be able to do the obove
Thank you

  • At our sales stand in the fall we always have an observation hive set up where you can view the honeybees without a suit or veil. We also have bulk raw honey available to put in your containers.

The image below shows customers looking for the queen.

More pictures are availble at our pictures archive.
http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/weekendpictures/picturesarchive.htm

Bill

3/23/2005 - robertklesseck

This was my second order. Once again, thanks for the fast shipping and a quality product.

3/19/2005 - Paul & Mary Beth Gross

Hi, we visited your vineyard too late last fall to pick grapes. We will be on time this year.
Our question is if you have a de-stemmer and a crusher on site for use or rent? Do you know of any wine clubs that may have a de-stemmer and a crusher for use?
We come from the Jackson Mi area.
Any help or suggestions to locate a de-stemmer and a crusher for use would be appreciated.
Thank you, Paul

  • I was just looking at our crusher situation and decided we will create an area wher customers can crush and destem their own grapes. (no pressing) We will have further information in our newsletter.

Bill & Pat

From our Early Spring 2005 Issue
Click here to view the Newsletter

Partylite Candles, New beekeepers, Wants to plant a few vines, Light colored pillars, Keeping honey from granulating, Growing grapes in Gratiot County Michigan, Reducing acidity, dipping candles, Making wine in Tennessee, Thanks for the order, Where to get winemaking supplies, from the Director Of The Greyton H. Taylor Wine Museum.

3/6/2005 - Cindy@hauptcollado

Hi there!

I have seen your website over the past year and would like to know how you would compare your candles to store bought, Partylite & other candles. I haven't ordered any of your products yet, but have been very impressed by your website. I went to the University of Michigan Business School and your successful entrepreneurial investment is very impressive!

Also, could you sign me up for the Newsletter Candle Contest?

Thank you, Cindy

Bill & Pat

3/6/2005 - albert s. hawks

brother i got the buzz, the little ladys i got are just preshus little gals. i bought
2 5 frame nuks from a sweedish family in groveland for 50.00 each quned and loded
in a cardwood box with 5 frames of bees and queen.
this was before i found your site on the internet. you have the best knowlage pictures and info i have seen ever, just superb.
i have searched everwhere to find how to cut a hive and make 2 out of one. well i know how thanks for a friend in michigan,
we operate a pest control company and i am ready to retire from it and gess what i will do with my time left here on earth, play with bees, i put those 5 frames in my boxes of 10 9 1/2 frames and they went o work. so gentle i den't even ware a mask or gloves, i was so hapy with them gals i wasnt thanking about geting stung.
my very first time to handle bees, but it wont be the last.
please send me your ordering catalog, i wont to buy some thangs.
and again thanks for sharing your knoliage with us. you have got to be blessed.
a friend albert s. hawks

  • Good luck with your beekeeping. You must live in a warmer area - we still have snow here in Michigan.

Here is a good site for equipment & bees (we only sell candles - no beekeeping equipment)
http://www.beemaster.com/honeybee/beemail.htm

Here is our resource page:
http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/beekeepingresources.php

Bill

3/6/2005 - Sue (An Armada resident)


Hi, I was told that you might be able to put me in the right direction.
My husband had received a small beekeeping setup and it did fine for the first year but he lost the bees because he did not take care for any pests. How do I obtain new bees including the queen bee? (As a novice I hope I wrote that correctly)

Thanks, Sue (An Armada resident)

  • Sue

Here is a site that shows lots of places to purchase honeybees & equipment:
http://www.beemaster.com/honeybee/beemail.htm

Good luck - Bill

3/1/2005 - Larry Black

Last fall we picked grapes at your vineyard. Both the white and red wines are processing nicely. At that time we tlked about care of grapevines. Would you be willing to to advise me on fertilization and use of herbicide on a couple of the vines I have in my backyard? I would like my few vines to produce like yours.

Regards,
Larry Black
Shelby Township

  • Larry

Grape vines are not hard to grow. The first few years they do not need any fertilizer and only normal garden fertilizer after that. There are different fertilizers you can use but for a few vines it is not necessary.

Our vines are planted 8 ft apart in the rows and the rows are 9.5 ft apart.

Many nurseries are on our resource page are great for ordering vines:
http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/winemakingresources.htm

Good luck - email me any other questions - Bill

2/22/2005 - Li-Wen Monk

Hi,
I am looking for a light colored large pillar candle. I'd love to go with beeswax for all the good reasons beeswax is better than paraffin! I want to know if there are shade differences between the candles you make; on the website it does look like there are some candles that are lighter, closer to ivory, while others are darker, closer to the color of honey. I'm interested in a 3.5x9 or 12, in the lightest color you've got on hand.

Thank you,
Li-Wen Monk

  • You are correct. We do not sell any ivory candles and the color of beewax does vary just like you described. The wax we are using this month is a very light yellow. I can make sure your order is shipped with the yellowest wax possible.

If you look on our pillar page the 3.5 inch pillars in the picture are slightly darker. Most of the ones shipped are more yellow.

Thanks - Bill

2/10/2005 - DicknSue Wild

Could you please tell me how to keep my honey from hardening? I don't understand why it does this. Am I storing it wrong and what do I do?
Thank you
Sue Knittel

  • Sue

Almost all natural honey will granulate. You are not storing it wrong. It is not going bad or "turning to sugar" - This is naturally what happens to honey when it is stored. Honey left in the beehive overwinter will even granulate.

Just warm the honey in hot water (not boiling - that will damage it) and it will melt and look normal again.

Bill

2/1/2005 - Tanya B.

Hello,
I'm a Landscape Architecture student working on a site project in Gratiot County, MI. I've researched the soil survey and literature on the area, but I can't seem to get a straightforward explanation as to whether or not a vineyard would be successful in that area.
Do you have any advice? Maybe there is some aspect of wind circulation or sun that I need to take into consideration when dealing with viticulture?
Any response would be great!
Thanks,
Tanya B.

  • Tanya

I am not sure I can help you. Grapes can be grown most anywhere, especially where peaches thrive. That area may have some moderating influence from the water. - Bill

2/1/2005 - Jim Graham

Hi Bill-

 

Nice article on winemaking. I've made wine from kits for quite a few years and have ventured out this past fall to pressing grapes (yours!). I made a nice white from your GW#5 and have cold processed it to reduce the acid and am considering reducing the acid further. What formula/table did you use for the Calcium Carbonate? Did you purchase it locally? Have you used other means to reduce acidity?

 

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Jim Graham

  • Jim

Below is an article we had in our newsletter regarding acid reduction:
http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/newsletters/2003/december/decvineyard.htm#acidity

We get our winemaking supplies for Presque Isle Wine Cellars:
http://www.honeyflowfarm.com/winemakingresources.htm

We blend sometimes and add water to some musts sometimes - but I usually do not have problems with acidity.

Good Luck - Bill

 

1/25/2005 - Sharon

*/Hello,/*
*/I found your site to be very interesting, i enjoyed seeing how
you hand dip your tapers./*
*/I also hand dip my own tapers, using 100 % beeswax./*
*/I have a question for you, after my last dip, and hanging my
tapers to cool. I notice when they are totally cool, on some of my
tapers there are white blotches. What is this? if you pick at it,
its like theres an air pocket under the wax. How do i avoid this?/*
*/I dip my tapers at around 170, what am i doing wrong??? /*
*/I would really appreciate any help you could give me, this is
driving me crazy!!/*
*/After the last dip, they look really good, you can't see these
marks until my candles are cool, Please, help me?/*
*//* */thankyou very much for your time,/*
*/Sharon /*
*/Manitoba Canada/*

  • Brad & Sharon Isbister wrote:

> Hello,
> this is Sharon, i emailed you a few days ago, concerning hand
> dipped tapers. My trouble was that when my candles cooled they
> had air bubbles under the last two layers of wax.
> My tank is set at 170, I dip my tapers from top to bottom, after
> my last dip, i dunk my candles in a pail of cool water to give
> them a shiny look. then i hang them to cool.
> My tank was about 1/2 empty when i dipped them for the last
> couply of times, had it cooled off too much? because if you pick
> off on of the white spots, the bubble only goes down 2 layers.
> so, should i always have a FULL tank of wax, would this maintain
> the heat bettter?
> thankyou for your reply
> sharon

  • Sharon

Sorry I did not respond sooner - busy.

I keep the water bath thermostat on my tank at 185 degrees - try
raising it slightly it may help.

Keeping uniform heat and hand motion when dipping is important. I
have never dipped my tapers in water - I think that would cool
them too much - that could be the problem. When I may pillars, I
go to great lenths to let them cool as slowly as possible.

I don't know if a full tank of wax makes a difference because mine
is also not always full - but it could affect the temperature some
as you say.

I have had marks or bumbs on our candles occasionall, but usually
when someone besides me is dipping them, and I cannot always tell
what is doing it. Is there water in the bottom of the tank. My
dipping tanks contain only wax while the other tanks have wax &
water used to clean the wax.

Have you dipped in water a lot in the past - that is new to me and
may bee the problem.

Feel free to email back - Bill

  • */Bill,/*
    */Thankyou very much for emailing back./*
    *//* */I used to work for a candle making company here in Manitoba. I was taught to dip them in water after i cut them free from the frame. I used to have many air pockets./*
    */I don't work for that company anymore, but i did buy the small tank(double insulated-kinda like a double boiler?) and frames, basically everything i need to carry on dipping candles./*
    */I changed my style of dipping when i started at home. I too thought that the dipping in water was causing the marks, so i stopped. But, i read on the internet, that if you only dip in cold water after the last dip, it will give them a shiny look?? is this true? maybe i'll stop ./*
    */I will also turn up my tank, lets hope a higher temp. eliminates the marks. I have 8 frames, (6 pairs on a frame) , its very frustrating when 40 pairs have marks on them./*
    *//* */Thanks very much for the advice, /*
    */I really appreciate it./*
    */Sharon/*

1/25/2005 - Roy Lindsey wrote:

Hi, Just stumbled on your web site from a old Bee Culture magazine a friend gave me. I could spend therest of the winter just looking at you site. Really good and took a lot of work. I live in North East Tennessee in the edge of the Smokey Mountains. I have a small orchard and a real small vine-yard of Concords. I make a little wine each year but always run out before winter is over. I intend to put in another section of wine grapes this spring and would appreciate your help and expertise in heading me in the right direction. Would like to know the names of a few good vines that will grow here and produce good wine. I have app. 60 feet to plant in close to were my Concords are. If you have any to ship this spring I would like to know what you reccomend and a price list. We like a dark wine