Hive Calendar

We're excited to share our new beekeeping calendar, designed to guide you through the year for your seasonal hive management. This calendar will help you follow along with what we do in the hive each month, like a monthly hive checklist—everything from when we feed our bees to how and when we treat for varroa mites, and much more—all while preparing for the winter months ahead.

We know that every year can be different, but this calendar gives you a clear direction and purpose during your hive inspections. By following these steps, you'll be better equipped to care for your bees through all the seasons.

Disclaimer: Beekeeping is an evolving process, and there are many ways to care for bees. Nothing is guaranteed, and success requires consistency, attention, and hard work. This calendar is a helpful guide and can help in beginner beekeeper planning, but every hive is unique, and adaptation may be necessary based on your specific conditions.
Beginner’s Guide to Beekeeping
Beginner’s Guide to Beekeeping
Everything You Need to Know to Start Your First Hive — From a Family Who’s Been There There’s something special about beekeeping. It connects you to nature in a way... Read more...
January
January
Items Needed This Month Fondant Patty Items Needed Next Month Fondant Patty *OAV or *OAD (weather permitting) 1:1 sryup and pollen patty supplement (weather permitting) *OAV (oxalic acid vapor)  *OAD... Read more...
February
February
Action Items Overwintered   Check for bees.. Are there lots of bees or no bees on the ground in front of the hive? Nicely knock on the hive and listen... Read more...
March
March
Items Needed This Month Fondant Patties (optional) Tools to apply OA mite treatments (dependent on weather) Oxalic Acid (OA) - You can find this product on amazon or in some retail... Read more...
April
April
Items Needed This Month Tools to apply OA mite treatments if you didn't apply last month Oxalic Acid (OA) - You can find this product on amazon or in some... Read more...
May
May
Items Needed This Month 2-4 Gallons of 1:1 syrup (stimulates brood build up) depends on strength of hive and foraging OAE mite treatment 2nd deep box (new hives) Double Screen Board (swarm management)... Read more...
June
June
Items Needed This Month 3rd deep box (Honey Super) Queen excluder (optional) 1 Gallon of 1:1 syrup (only if needed) Items Needed Next Month 1:1 Syrup (only if hive is struggling) Read how... Read more...
July
July
Items Needed This Month 1 Gallon of 1:1 syrup (only if hive is struggling, and doesn't have honey super on) Mite testing kit (testing cup, soap solution, 1/2 measuring cup, tub to... Read more...
August
August
Items Needed This Month 1 Gallon of 2:1 syrup, feed after you remove honey super Mite testing kit (testing cup, soap solution, 1/2 measuring cup, tub to collect bee sample) If... Read more...
September
September
Items Needed This Month 2:1 syrup Feed before mite treatment and after if needed Formic Pro mite treatment Mite testing kit (testing cup, soap solution, 1/2 measuring cup, tub to collect bee... Read more...
October
October
Items Needed This Month 2:1 syrup Only add if hive is light and temperature is still fairly warm in the forecast. Not highly recommended. Entrance Reducer Items Needed Next Month Tar... Read more...
November
November
Items Needed This Month Tar Paper or Bee Cozy Bee Beanie (winter board) Entrance Reducer OAV or OAD mite treatment Items Needed Next Month Fondant Patties or make your own patties. Recipe here Action Items... Read more...