A YEAR IN THE
APIARY

March, marking the onset of spring, is a vital time in the apiary, filled with activities that set the stage for the upcoming beekeeping season. As the days lengthen and temperatures rise, bees ramp up their activities, making it a critical period for beekeepers to ensure their colonies are healthy and well-prepared.

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Checking Food Stores: With the increase in bee activity, their food consumption also goes up. It's essential to heft the hive to check the food stores, ensuring there's at least 5kg of honey reserves. If pollen is scarce, supplementing with pollen patties can be beneficial. Additionally, due to the unpredictable nature of March weather, providing fondant as a food source can help safeguard against sudden temperature drops. March is a critical month for starvation risks in colonies. Regularly weighing hives and feeding bees if necessary is essential.

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Brood Inspection: When temperatures consistently exceed 12 degrees Celsius, a quick hive inspection is crucial. This involves checking for the queen's presence and her laying pattern, ensuring she has enough space for laying, and confirming there are adequate food stores for the remainder of the month. A healthy brood pattern is typically indicated by six or more sides of brood.

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Apiary and Equipment Maintenance: As the weather warms, it's time to remove any mouse guards from the hives and clean out debris from dead colonies. Ensuring bees have access to clean water and are near good foraging sources is important as spring flowers begin to bloom. For those who garden, this is a good time to start preparing seeds for spring planting. If dandelions are flowering, consider adding a super. Cleaning and tidying the apiary, including cutting the grass and performing any necessary maintenance, is also key. March is an ideal time to clean, sterilize, and prepare beekeeping equipment for the season. This includes cleaning used equipment such as queen excluders, frames, supers, and brood boxes, and repairing or replacing any damaged items. Protecting your equipment by scorching the inside of supers and treating timber with preservative or paint can help maintain bee health.

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Planning for the Upcoming Season and Maintain Records: Reviewing the previous year's records can inform any necessary changes for the upcoming season, especially if considering expansion. This is the right time to order new equipment or bees if needed. Continuing to maintain detailed records of hive health and activity is crucial for informed decision-making. Starting new season's hive record cards as the weather warms is also advisable.

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Attend educational events: Attend beekeeping events, such as seminars or conferences, to learn about new techniques and best practices.

 

March marks the beginning of spring and is an exciting time in the apiary. As the days get longer and the temperatures start to rise, bees become more active and begin to collect nectar and pollen. This is a critical time to ensure that your colonies are healthy and thriving after the winter months. In March, you should focus on preparing hives for the upcoming season, monitoring the colonies, and making sure that they have enough food and space to grow. By following these tasks and staying proactive, you can set the colonies up for a successful and productive year.​