A beekeeper's year has two busy months and ten patient ones. This is roughly what we are doing, and when it makes sense to come.
The year at the hives
| March — April | First inspections on warm afternoons. Feeding weak colonies, cleaning floors, replacing old comb. |
|---|---|
| May | Swarm season. We split the strong hives and add the first honey boxes. The gate stall opens. |
| June — July | Linden and meadow flow. First extraction in the second week of July, weather allowing. |
| August | Heather. Second extraction and pressing. The shed smells of wax for a month. |
| September — October | Hives are narrowed and wrapped for winter. Last Saturdays at the stall. |
| November — February | Candles, frame repairs, and leaving the bees alone. |
Gate stall
Saturdays from nine until one, the first Saturday of May to the last of October. Outside those hours there is an honesty box by the gate with a few jars of whatever is current. Coins or a note, please; there is no card reader in a field.
Seeing the hives
We open a hive for visitors on dry Saturday afternoons in June and July, six people at a time. Veils and gloves are here; wear long sleeves, light colours and closed shoes. Children are welcome from the age of seven. Write a few days ahead so we know how many veils to hang out.
If it rains or the wind is up, the bees stay shut and so do we. We will write back the evening before if the visit has to move.
Finding us
Pinewater Farm, Lower Wood Road
second gate after the stone bridge