The Beekeeper’s Calendar: A Year in the Life
The art of beekeeping follows nature’s rhythm, with each month bringing its own tasks and challenges. From the dormant days of winter to the buzzing heights of summer, a beekeeper’s year is a carefully orchestrated dance with these remarkable insects.
January: Winter’s Deep Sleep
January finds the colony in its winter cluster, bees huddled together for warmth around their queen. The beekeeper’s role is minimal but crucial – checking hive entrances after snowfall to ensure proper ventilation and occasionally listening for the reassuring hum of the cluster. This is also the time to repair equipment and order supplies for the coming season.
February: First Stirrings
As days gradually lengthen, queens begin laying eggs again, albeit slowly. Beekeepers must check food stores during brief warm spells, as this is when colonies are most at risk of starvation. Emergency feeding with candy boards or fondant may be necessary. The first snowdrops and crocuses offer welcome forage on milder days.
March: Spring Awakening
March marks the true beginning of the beekeeping year. Early spring inspections commence when temperatures reach 12°C (54°F). Beekeepers assess colony strength, check for disease, and ensure the queen is laying well. Maple and willow provide crucial early pollen sources as brood rearing accelerates.
April: Building Momentum
Colony growth accelerates dramatically. Beekeepers must manage space carefully, adding supers as needed to prevent swarming. This is the time to implement swarm control measures and perhaps make splits or nucleus colonies. Dandelions and fruit trees provide abundant nectar and pollen.
May: Peak Activity
May is often the busiest month in the apiary. As colonies reach peak strength, swarm prevention becomes critical. Weekly inspections are essential, checking for queen cells and ensuring adequate space. The main nectar flow often begins, and beekeepers prepare their equipment for honey collection.
June: Summer’s Bounty
Long days and abundant forage keep colonies busy. Beekeepers harvest the first honey crop, usually from spring flowers and fruit blooms. Extracting equipment runs at full capacity. New queens from earlier splits begin laying, and colony numbers expand. Vigilance for pest problems increases as temperatures rise.
July: High Summer
The main honey flow continues in many areas, with lime trees and brambles in full bloom. Beekeepers continue adding supers and harvesting honey. Varroa mite monitoring becomes crucial as colony populations peak. Some regions may experience a nectar dearth, requiring careful management to prevent robbing.
August: Preparing for Autumn
Late summer brings a shift in focus toward winter preparation. Honey harvest concludes in most areas. Beekeepers begin assessing and treating for varroa mites. Colony size naturally declines as queens reduce egg laying. Careful feeding may be necessary if nectar flows have ended early.
September: The Golden Month
September is critical for winter preparation. Colonies are fed heavy sugar syrup to build winter stores. Final disease treatments are applied, and entrance reducers are installed to prevent robbing. Queens continue reducing egg laying as days shorten. Equipment is cleaned and stored as the active season winds down.
October: Autumn’s End
Most active beekeeping work concludes. Final feeding is completed, and mouse guards are installed. Beekeepers ensure adequate ventilation for winter and may wrap hives in colder regions. The last inspection confirms adequate stores and strong populations before winter.
November: Winding Down
As temperatures drop, colonies form their winter clusters. Beekeepers ensure hives are weatherproof and properly ventilated. This is also the time for cleaning and storing equipment, rendering wax, and planning for the next season. Education and attendance at beekeeping meetings fill the growing dark hours.
December: Winter’s Rest
The circle completes as colonies settle into winter dormancy. Beekeepers occasionally check for storm damage or disturbance but leave the bees in peace. The quiet months allow time for study, equipment building, and connecting with other beekeepers to share knowledge and plan for spring’s return.
Successful beekeeping requires careful observation, timely intervention, and a deep respect for the colony’s natural rhythms throughout this annual cycle. Each year brings its own challenges and rewards, teaching new lessons and deepening the beekeeper’s understanding of these fascinating insects.