Principles & Practices of Biodynamic Beekeeping: Fall and Winter Preparation

Part 4 of 4: Health and Hive Management, an Online Webinar by Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary, Floyd, VA  

Suggestions for a successful overwintering and new start in the spring.

In this workshop we will not only look at what needs to be done in the fall in order to let the colonies go into the winter as strong and healthy as possible, but we will also take a look at the winter and early spring months, probably the most difficult and treacherous time of the year for the bees. We will take a closer look at the various illnesses and probable causes, as well as share our methods of hive feeding, wrapping, and consolidation for best possible over-wintering success. This is the fourth class in our four-part series on basic beekeeping.

Topics covered include:

• Contraction in the hive
• 1:1 Ratio
• Feeding demonstration
• Hive wrapping/insulation
• Dynamics of the winter cluster
• Beekeeping tasks from August to April

A link to the webinar will be sent out the day before the class.