Be prepared

In the spring and summer I keep bees, and in autumn and winter I talk about keeping bees … to my family, friends, strangers I meet in town, and to the audiences attending my Zoom presentations.

In fact, to anyone.

Some would say it's an obsession.

Personally, I'd define it as a 'healthy interest' 😉.

I'm about midway through this season's winter Zoom talks. The dates are typically booked months in advance, with the choice of title being made closer to the event. Some associations want talks on specific topics — e.g. bait hives, or queen rearing — whereas others ask for 'catch all' titles like 'Preparing for the season ahead' or 'Preparing for winter'.

Despite listing these last two titles, I try to dissuade associations from choosing them. I do this for two reasons:

• These general topics can almost certainly be covered by any reasonably experienced beekeeper. What's more, someone with local experience will be far better placed than I am to discuss likely nectar sources and timing, or whether colonies will be dependably broodless in winter. Less experienced beekeepers often want advice on when the things they are 'preparing for' might happen {{1}}. Locals should know this.
• The wide range of topics that need to be covered — spring build-up, swarming and swarm control, queen rearing, making increase, honey harvesting, Varroa control, feeding — mean that none are discussed in any depth. In fact, in a 55-minute talk, most topics get only superficial treatment. In reality, each could make a talk on its own {{2}}. In fact, many do 😉.

If you've kept bees successfully for a year or two, you already know what's likely to happen in the season ahead.

Though that's no guarantee you're ready for it 😉.