This spring marks a new chapter in our beekeeping journey as we have welcomed three new single brood chamber honey bee colonies to the farm. While we have been keeping bees for nearly 14 years, this season feels especially significant after the tough loss of all our hives over the winter. Losing colonies is one of the most difficult realities of beekeeping, regardless of experience, but it also provides an opportunity to learn, rebuild, and move forward.
As with every new colony, proper hive placement is key. Our hives are situated in a location that receives lots of morning sun, offers protection from prevailing winds, and provides easy access to nearby forage and water sources. This spot on our front lawn will ensure the colonies establish themselves quickly and gives them the best chance for success throughout the season.
After installing the bees, I carried out thorough inspections to get a 'pulse' on each hive. I checked for active queens, healthy brood patterns, adequate food stores, and any signs of pests or disease. Years of beekeeping experience have taught me that regular inspections are one of the most valuable management tools available. Catching issues early can make all the difference in maintaining strong, productive colonies.
With the nectar flow upon us, I have added honey supers to provide the bees with additional space for honey storage. Supering helps prevent overcrowding and encourages the colonies to focus on gathering nectar rather than preparing to swarm. With good weather and plenty of wildflowers around, I am hopeful for a productive honey season ahead.
This year, however, our goals extend beyond simply rebuilding our apiary. We plan to increase our colony numbers by splitting these hives as they grow strong enough to support division. Hive splits are a great way to expand an apiary while also helping to prevent swarming. There is something incredibly rewarding about growing your own bee yard from healthy, thriving stock.
Perhaps the most exciting goal for the season is attempting to raise our own queens. Queen rearing is a skill we have long wanted to explore more seriously, and this year feels like the perfect opportunity. Producing queens has the potential to improve colony resilience while giving us greater control over the genetics within our apiary. It is both a challenge and a learning experience, but one we are eager to take on.
Although starting over was not part of the original plan, the arrival of these three new colonies has renewed my enthusiasm for beekeeping. I am looking forward to watching them grow, developing skills in hive splitting and queen rearing, and hopefully rebuilding our apiary stronger than ever. We'll share updates throughout the season as these hardworking bees begin their new journey here on the farm.
Ah, one of the sweet rewards of bee keeping. Here is part of last year's honey harvest.
We are sold out of it for now, but hope to be flush with honey again by July!
