RED ROAD RANCH

Where Bees are Left to Bee

160 acres outside of Seguin, TX.  The property is so remote that a neighboring cattle ranch leased access to the property to run their heard through.  About ten years ago they put in a dirt road and no longer needed access.  That's when we started working to conserve the native wildlife (Texas turkeys and songbirds) and discourage invasive wild hogs and Yaupon.  Since we were making the trip anyway, we bought a couple of four wheelers so we could take our son and his friends along.  There is a type of country freedom that is unmatched, when the only boundaries are a couple of fences and common sense!

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The land has very sandy topsoil and red clay beneath.  There was one clearing that -- the more we learned about bees -- seemed perfect when our two backyard hives turned into four then eight.  And so, the Red Road apiary was born.

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The million or so bees that live here - wake up to stunning sunrises, have natural water sources and a rain catchment system John built.  They share it with raccoons, deer, turkeys and an occasional fox.

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Their forage (the plants they get nectar from) includes a wide range of wildflowers -- thistle, lantana, sunflowers, Indian blankets, butter and wine cups, prickly pear cactus, wild dew berries, nettle and a host of little white flowers.  But we think it's the tree nectar - Yaupon & Black Hickory - that shapes the body of the honey these bees produce.  Usually a deep caramel with a nutty finish - the Spring 2023 harvest was lighter than it's ever been - thanks to the fields of bee balm that bloomed this year.  Now the honey is bright floral with a butterscotch finish.

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