Bee News, Updates & Seasonal Tips — harvesting

Each fall, Crown Bees buys back extra Mason bee cocoons from gardeners and farmers to expand pollination across the USA. Learn how your bees help support orchards, community farms, and organic growers through our Bee Buy Back program.

Every fall, Mason bee raisers harvest cocoons to prepare for spring. Jim from Indiana turned this task into a neighborhood tradition, hosting harvest parties that bring people together over bees, donuts, and laughter. Providing bee care is as much about community as pollination.

Unusually warm summer and fall temperatures can cause Mason bees to emerge months too early, long before flowers are available. During the 2022 harvest season, some Pacific Northwest bee raisers noticed early emergence tied to accelerated development and depleted fat stores. This article explains why early emergence happens, how temperature affects Mason bee biology, and what bee raisers can do in fall, spring, and summer to reduce losses as climate patterns continue to change.