Tag Archives: Winter

The Longest Winter

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Bean

It’s been a long winter here in the mountains in the northwest corner of the lower 48 states. It started snowing the first week of December and has just recently stopped. We did have a 1 ½ week break where … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bee, bees, Brookfield Farm, hives, Maple Falls, snow, Washington, Winter | Leave a comment

Storing Bee Hive Frames in Winter

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Bean

I search continuously for easy, efficient, nontoxic ways to deal with bee equipment. Storing frames for winter has been an evolving technique. I am pretty happy with my new set up: stacking frames in boxes set on their sides. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Hive Components | Tagged bee, Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm, frames, hive, hives, how to, Maple Falls, store, Washington, Winter | Leave a comment

Snow At The Hives

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Bean

The February snows have arrived. I woke up last Sunday to the realization that a bit of snow had fallen and it was not going to stop. That slowed things down a bit this week, thus this photo essay of … Continue reading →

Posted in Brookfield Farm Bee Yards, Farm | Tagged beehives, bees, Brookfield Farm, livestock guard dogs, Maple Falls, snow, Washington, Winter | Leave a comment

Dressing For Winter Markets

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Bean

My bees and I live in the northwest corner of Washington state. To the west is Puget Sound (also known as the Salish Sea). The Cascade Mountains rise to Mount Baker’s 10,781 foot summit (3,286 meters), 58 road miles inland. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee Business, Marketing | Tagged beekeeper, Brookfield Farm, clothes, Karen Bean, layers, Maple Falls, Markets, Washington, Winter, wool | 2 Comments

Making Bee Candy (aka Fondant)

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Bean

I leave lots of honey on my hives in the winter. Usually about 70 pounds for established hives, a bit less for the smaller hives. In a normal year this will provide food for the bees from October, when forage … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Feeding Bees | Tagged bee candy, Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm, feeding, Fondant, honeybees, how to, Maple Falls, sugar, Washington, Winter | Leave a comment

Winter Preparation : The Final Steps

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Bean

The bees are all tucked in for the winter now. After making a bit more than enough mouse guards to place on those hives still “unguarded”, I switched the hives from fall-feed-mode to winter-mode. OUT WITH THE FEEDERS IN WITH … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm Bee Yards, Hive Components | Tagged bee, Brookfield Farm, covers, hives, insulation, Maple Falls, preparation, rain, Washington, Winter | 2 Comments

Winter Hive Preparation : First Steps

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Bean

Our Brookfield Farm honey’s pulled, extracted, and on our market tables now. The honey table at our market booth Now the work begins to prepare the bees for winter. Which arrived here suddenly.We went from a lovely warm summer to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Diseases and Pests, Feeding Bees | Tagged Brookfield Farm, honeybees, Maple Falls, mite away quick strips, nosema, nozevit, preparation, varroa, Washington, Winter | Leave a comment

Checking Hives In February

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Bean

In a “normal” year, February brings deep snow in our area. This is year we have seen cold sunny days, cold overcast days, rain, a few sunny 50-degree (F) days, and now, as I write this, snow. During the sunny … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Feeding Bees, Hive Components | Tagged bee, Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm, hives, honey, inspection, Maple Falls, over, stores, Washington, Winter | Leave a comment

Preparing Bees For Winter Part 3: Nucleus Hives in Winter

Posted on November 6, 2012 by bean

My nucs are given the same 3 weeks of feed and are treated for mites, just like the strong hives. But after that, their lives take a different turn. Reminder: I prep the hives for winter starting in the third … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping | Tagged Beekeeping, bees, Brookfield Farm, hives, Karen Bean, Maple Falls, nucleus, over, Washington, Winter | Leave a comment

Preparing Bees for Winter at Brookfield Farm Part Two: Physical Preparation

Posted on October 29, 2012 by bean

Ready For Rain I was going on about winter stores, feeding, and mite treatment in the last blog post. This posting is about the more physical aspects of winter preparation at Brookfield Farm Bees And Honey, here in the land … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping | Tagged Brookfield Farm, covers, hive, insulation, Karen Bean, Maple Falls, preparation, rain, tie downs, Washington, Winter, wrapping | 2 Comments