Welcome back to our second season of beekeeping. It feels like ages since we last wrote but Spring feels like it's well on its way and things are starting to get going, ready for our next stage of beekeeping! First, let me update you on all we've been doing during the winter.
Apiary 1
Apiary 1 has had an eye kept on it but inevitably the grass has become overgrown and I think I'm fighting a losing battle with it. My plan now is to spread wildflowers there so that it becomes fairly easy to manage. In my greenhouse, I've started planting some early veg and Greg has been so sidetracked with preparing apiaries, building frames and hive stands (more on that later) that he hasn't yet built me the raised beds I've asked for. Therefore I may have to plant some of my broad beans etc up at the apiary - not a total loss.
As expected, the woodchips have started to rot down and so they need topping up in places to keep down the weeds. Greg has also said that he would like to add some camera traps just out of interest to see what kind of critters are around.
Laura & Kate
I'm sure you're all wondering how our girls, Laura and Kate, are doing: Well, Laura is full (see her huddled below left)! Our plans are to expand her early by putting supers or another brood box on her as it's from here we plan to begin queen rearing. To get her ready for this we'll be feeding her syrup, despite cold as the number of bees should keep it warm enough to not cause any damp issues. We'll also be giving both her and Kate lots of pollen patties which we have started to add this week (see pictures below).
Pollen patties are a substitute for pollen which encourages the queen to start laying eggs as soon as possible. It's full of protein and vitamins to keep the brood strong and healthy until they can forage real pollen for themselves. Pollen patties will never be as good as the real thing but it'll help while there are limited amounts at the moment.
Kate is weaker than Greg expected and she has lost a lot of bees since we gave her the oxalic acid dribble but really this is normal for winter losses and with the arrival of spring she should recover ok. Keep your fingers crossed for her and for us as she isn't totally out of the woods yet.
Honestly, I'm chomping at the bit to do our first inspection but unlike Greg, I know how important it is for it to be T-shirt weather (regularly at least 15°C) before we begin. We are planning our first inspection for around the end of March/beginning of April when it's warmed up enough - Can't wait!
Laura making her cleansing flights last weekend!
Introducing Apiary 2
As we might have mentioned, Greg managed to find a local spot that has agreed we can start a second apiary. The area we've been granted is around 20x7 meters (enough space for 50 hives!) but we've only cleared 6x7 meters for the moment as this is enough space for 20 hives! Well above our expectations for this year at least.
Before Winter Apiary 2
When we visited over the Winter there was lots of standing muddy water, so we leveled the area and dug a 'sump channel' to drain it. We've since put wood chips down to help absorb any water as well as keep weeds at bay, then in went the hive stands and the hives - all ready for new colonies, when we can rear them.
Greg's done a fantastic job with Apiary 2 but I am trying to strategically curb his enthusiasm otherwise he'll try to run before he can walk. I'm very conscious that this is only our second year keeping bees and we haven't even had any honey from them yet. That being said, Greg still wants 8 hives at the new apiary this year - we'll see. My priority is to keep the hives that we've got strong and make sure we get plenty of honey!
Greg's Garage
Fiance who? Greg has spent most of the winter in his Garage building frames and hive stands and entrance blocks (oh my!) As I type this he's currently out there finishing off some bait hives!
Packed Frames Built Frames Frames in a super
Pallets (before) Hive Stands After
Plans & Preparations
The first thing we did was cleaned our kit e.g suits, hive tools and made a fresh cleaning solution for this year.
Cleaning solution after first season Cleaning solution ready for the new season
As previously mentioned, our plans for this year are to support Kate and Laura in going from strength to strength, trying our hand at queen rearing and potentially get enough nucs to begin Apiary 2. Our next steps are to build up brood in Kate and Laura by giving them the pollen patties, syrup and maybe fondant (temperature-dependent) in between now and the first inspection, which will inform where we go from here.
Apiary 2 Before & After.
I think that's just about everything we've been up to ... I think you'll hear more from us towards the end of March when things really get going but I hope that's enough to wet your appetite for the new beekeeping year!
🙋🏽♀️TTFN 🙋🏽♂️