Spring is in the Air (and in the Hive!)
Spring is in the air, the days are getting longer, the bees are stretching their wings, and beekeepers everywhere are dusting off their suits, ready to dive back into their hives. After a winter of planning and preparing for the season ahead, March is the month when everything feels like it is waking up and springing into life again, including my ever growing to-do list!.
After the winter months of checking from the outside and topping up the fondant with little glimmers through the crownboard and into the hive, its nearly time for that first inspection of the year. It's a delicate balance however, too soon and you risk chilling the brood, too late and you might find the bees might be making plans of their own (hello, early swarms!), or even worse, you might find you have a dead out if the bees have ran out of stores.
March is a key month for beekeepers, and here is a quick checklist to see you through the month:
🐝 Keep hefting and checking those stores
🐝 Prepare your record sheets for the year ahead, dust off last years and review your colonies. What worked, what didn't, which look like they would be good for queen rearing etc.
🐝 Don't rush to do that first inspection, pick the right day. Aim for a calm, sunny afternoon with temperatures above 14C
🐝 Look for signs of strong, healthy colonies. Look for eggs, larvae, pollen, stores. Are they still queen right. Are they on the small side, or ramping up and ready to go?
🐝 Get ready to get those clean queen excluders on and supers on top. If you nadired, get ready to reverse, and switch the super back on top.
🐝 Have you got your spare kit organised and ready to go, if not - make sure you have everything made up and those frames to hand.
Hopefully you and your bee shed is much more organised than mine. I've definitely still got some kit to clean and frames to make up!
Beeswax Candle Craze: Thanks, Megan!
Over the last few weeks, I've had a sudden surge in demand for beeswax candles. Megan's new Netflix series, With Love, Megan, has sparked a flurry of candle requests, proving once again that natural, handmade products never got out of style.
Beeswax candles aren't just beautiful, they do actually purify the air by releasing negative ions that neutralise odours and pollutants in the air. So, whether you're lighting one for relaxation or want to give your home a spring clean, and a little breath of fresh air, check out our range on the website. With Mother's Day just around the corner, they make the perfect eco-friendly gift, that is not only sustainable, it is handmade and supports my small local business.
Honey Favours
Speaking of handmade, I recently shared a post on my Instagram about honey favours, and with wedding season approaching, it's the perfect time to think ahead for those perfect little treats for your guests.
They would also make great baby shower and corporate gifts, so whatever special event you are hosting, if you are looking for a unique, natural gift, our small jars of pure local honey will make the perfect gift. You can check out the post here, and if you're interested in designing your own perfect honey favour, feel free to get in touch to discuss.
Hive of activity
Behind the scenes at Drumblebees HQ, March has been a whirlwind of planning and venue hunting for my Home Ed Workshops. I've visited two fantastic outdoor settings that could be perfect for future collaborations.
I'm still scouring sites for the pipedream to create my very own Bee School somewhere, but in the meantime, school bookings are filling up and I'm busy developing ideas for some super exciting summer holiday workshops.
For now, its time to enjoy the first signs of Spring, and the hum of the bees returning to work. I really can't wait for my super busy bee-filled year ahead.