A year at the hives, season by season
What forty colonies do from January to December, and what we do to keep out of their way.
#Seasons #Beekeeping
People imagine beekeeping as a summer job. It’s really a year-long conversation with forty very opinionated families.
Winter
The bees cluster in a ball inside the hive and shiver to keep the queen warm. We leave them alone, check that the entrances aren’t blocked by snow and heft each hive to feel how much food is left.
Spring
The first warm day, the bees fly out to the willows and crocuses. We check every colony for a laying queen and give the strongest ones more room so they don’t swarm.
Summer
Clover in June, lavender in July, everything else in August. We add boxes as the hives get heavy and lift the frames the bees can spare.
Autumn
The last of the ivy flowers. We make sure every hive keeps plenty of its own honey for winter, put mouse guards on the entrances and start the whole conversation again.