After your first year of beekeeping, you’ve likely developed some foundational knowledge, but the journey has only just begun. Continuing in beekeeping involves moving from beginner stages to refining techniques and understanding the nuances of managing colonies based on experience and observation.
Expanding Your Knowledge
Seasoned beekeepers will tell you that simply following a checklist won’t always yield the best results. Bees are highly responsive to their environment, and colony management is often about adapting to the unique conditions of your area. Factors like local climate, the specific characteristics of bee colonies, and even small-scale environmental variations can have significant impacts on hive behaviour. As a beekeeper, learning how to observe these variations is crucial.
One common oversight is relying solely on advice without considering local applicability. For example, conditions suitable for beekeeping in southern England might differ significantly from those in Scotland or even 20 miles down the road. This disparity highlights the importance of taking advice as a guideline rather than a rule.
Understanding Colony Needs
Beekeeping is a craft that thrives on observation and understanding. A successful beekeeper can “read” a hive’s condition through subtle signs: the bees’ placement, the presence of certain cell types, and even weather-related behaviours. This skill of reading your bees helps you anticipate their needs, such as additional space or food, before they become problems.
For example, in natural environments, bees often have food storage above their brood. In managed hives, beekeepers can support this instinct by placing the honey supers (frames for honey storage) above the brood box, mimicking natural arrangements as closely as possible.
Challenging Common Myths
Many well-intentioned but oversimplified rules circulate among beginners, such as “always leave two queen cells as insurance” when dealing with swarming. In reality, bees often swarm on the first cell to emerge, regardless of its quality, potentially leaving the weaker queen behind.
Another common misconception is that bees placed in full sun are better off, particularly for overwintering. However, shade can offer stress relief and keep bees cooler in summer, aligning more with their natural preferences.
There is a book that has been published by Roger Patterson called “Beekeeping – Challenge What You Are Told“.
Choosing the Right Bees and Supplies
Over time, you’ll gain an appreciation for different bee strains and how well they adapt to your local environment. Imported bees, while potentially more prolific, often come with challenges: they may require more food, have a higher tendency to swarm, and lack resilience in colder climates. Selecting bees bred locally and suited to your environment is typically more sustainable in the long term.
When increasing your hive count, work within your limits. While it’s tempting to add colonies quickly, managing more bees than you’re ready for can lead to burnout. Instead, focus on maintaining a few strong colonies.
Developing Your Beekeeping Strategy
The second year of beekeeping is about developing your management style. Perhaps you will start experimenting with your own queen-rearing methods or trying different feeding schedules. Feeding is one area where you can tailor your approach; instead of feeding all at once in autumn, try gentle, incremental feeding to simulate natural nectar flow, encouraging the queen to lay more brood for winter.
Overall, building a beekeeping style that aligns with your bees’ needs, rather than adhering strictly to a manual, will yield healthier colonies and more satisfaction from the craft.
Final Thoughts
Beekeeping is an art that grows richer with time and observation. Moving beyond the first year means continuing to learn from your bees, questioning conventional wisdom when it doesn’t align with your experience, and above all, cultivating a sustainable practice that ensures the health of your colonies.
So, as you embark on this next chapter, remember: beekeeping is a journey of discovery, one that ultimately depends on your unique relationship with your bees. Embrace it, and here’s to a productive season ahead!