September in Ontario is a month of transition. The days can still be warm and sunny, with bees flying well and working the remaining blooms, but the nights are getting colder and the colony is already responding to the change. In the August Apiary Notes⁠, we focused on watching entrances, robbing pressure, wasps, bottom boards, and keeping useful records. Those observations still matter, but September moves the work one step deeper into the hive. In our apiary, this is usuall

July is one of the most important months in the Ontario apiary. The bees are busy, honey supers are getting heavy, and strong colonies can change quickly from one inspection to the next. This year, many colonies seem to be growing especially fast. After the very hot days in June and steady garden growth, some hives have built up sooner than expected, filled space quickly, and needed closer attention from week to week. July is exciting because the results of spring work are n

May is often the month when the season begins to accelerate in the apiary. Colonies that were building steadily in April can suddenly feel much stronger. Brood expands, bees begin filling frames more quickly, drones are present, and the first signs of swarm season may begin to appear. This is the time to watch growth closely. Swarm season begins In many areas, May is when swarm season starts. A strong colony in spring can grow quickly, especially when forage is coming in and

February in Ontario is the month of second-guessing. The hives are wrapped, the snow is crusted over, and you haven’t seen a proper flight day in a while. It’s easy to start wondering if your bees are still alive under all that insulation. The good news: winter colonies leave plenty of clues. You can “read” a hive from the outside using classic signs beekeepers have relied on for generations – and you can layer in simple technology to quietly watch temperature and moisture

Winter beekeeping in Ontario looks very different from the active months of spring and summer. Once cold temperatures settle in, hives are closed and direct inspections stop. At that point, successful winter management becomes less about intervention - and more about observation. Understanding what is normal during winter, and what signs indicate a colony is still alive and functioning, can bring peace of mind to both new and experienced beekeepers. What Changes Ontario wint