An Afternoon on the Farm with Winnie
honeybees, cattle and country air 
Tending to the hive
My partner and I recently started our beekeeping journey out of a fascination with bees and the way a hive works together so instinctively. It’s already been incredibly rewarding to learn more about them and observe the rhythm of the hive over the past few months.
One of the most fascinating parts has been seeing how quickly the bees have filled the hive with honey. When we first brought the hive home, only one of the ten frames contained honey, and now nearly the entire hive is full as they prepare for winter.
It’s also been interesting learning how much their temperament changes throughout the day, and understanding the best times to check on the hive while keeping disruption to a minimum.
After a long day of foraging amongst the flowers, the bees find their way back home to the hive.
Every few weeks, we open the hive to make sure the colony is healthy and everything is progressing as it should. Part of maintaining the hive involves giving treatments that help protect the bees from pests and other issues that can affect the colony over time.
We’ve also learnt how much timing affects the mood of the hive. Midday tends to be the best time to check on the bees, as many are out foraging and the hive is a little quieter. In the afternoons, they become much busier as they return home, and on stormy days most of the colony stays sheltered inside.
One of the things we’re most looking forward to is harvesting honey in spring, when the flowers are blooming and the bees have plenty of nectar available. During winter, the hive relies on its honey stores for food, so it’s important to leave enough behind to support the colony through the colder months when there are fewer flowers in bloom.
The cows were very excited for some hay.
We’re really enjoying learning about the bees and the rhythm of the hive, and we’re excited to continue the journey as the seasons change.