First-Year Beekeeping Planner

Deep winter cluster; bees not flying; ordering season opens.

• Order bees from local supplier NOW→ /blog/where-to-buy-bees
• Order all equipment (hive, suit, gloves, smoker, tools)→ /starter-kits
• Read one beginner beekeeping book→ /blog/best-beekeeping-books
• Register for local beekeeping club beginner course
• Monthly heft test (no opening — lift back of hive)

Minimum bee population; spring brood-rearing begins; starvation risk peaks.

• Heft test every 2 weeks — add candy board if hive feels light
• Check entrance is clear of ice and dead bee accumulation
• Assemble hive box and install wax foundation in all frames
• Complete beginner course if enrolled

First warm days; cleansing flights; queen begins heavy laying.

• First hive inspection on a 55°F+ sunny day
• Confirm queen is laying (look for eggs)→ /blog/how-to-find-the-queen-bee
• Check honey stores — begin 1:1 syrup if low→ /blog/best-beehive-feeders
• Install hive stand if not already done→ /blog/best-hive-stands

Rapid population growth; swarm impulse begins; package/nuc install time.

• Install package bees or pick up nucleus colony→ /blog/how-to-install-package-bees
• Day 5–7 inspection — confirm queen released and laying
• Set up hive feeder and begin 1:1 syrup feeding
• Begin weekly swarm cell inspections→ /blog/swarm-prevention

Colony at near-peak population; primary nectar flow; swarming most active.

• Inspect every 5–7 days — check all frame bottoms for queen cells
• Add honey super + queen excluder when 7/10 frames are covered
• First varroa alcohol wash test of the season
• Mark queen if not yet done→ /blog/how-to-find-the-queen-bee

Peak nectar flow; honey supers filling; swarm season winding down.

• Weekly inspections — add supers when 80% full
• Check varroa — treat if ≥2 mites per 100 bees→ /blog/varroa-mite-treatment
• Ensure water source is within 200 feet of hive
• Check for summer dearth beginning — reduce entrance if bees become defensive

Flow slowing; varroa explosion; summer dearth in many regions.

• CRITICAL: Alcohol wash varroa test this month
• Treat immediately if threshold exceeded→ /blog/varroa-mite-treatment
• Check honey supers for harvest readiness (80%+ capped)→ /blog/when-is-honey-ready-to-harvest
• Reduce entrance to minimize robbing

Harvest time; summer dearth; robbing risk peaks.

• Complete first honey harvest→ /blog/best-honey-extractors
• Install bee escape board 24 hrs before pulling supers→ /blog/best-bee-escape-boards
• Remove and seal all honey supers after harvest
• Begin 2:1 fall feeding if stores look low

Fall nectar flow; winter bees being raised; varroa damage visible.

• CRITICAL: Final varroa test — treat if ≥1 mite/100 bees→ /blog/varroa-mite-treatment
• Remove all honey supers by Sept 15 (northern states)
• Verify winter stores: 2 deep boxes or equivalent (60+ lbs in northern climates)
• Reduce hive to 1–2 boxes for winter
• Install entrance reducer / mouse guard

Brood nest contracting; cold nights; feeding season.

• Complete final syrup feeding (stop when temps drop below 50°F)
• Install mouse guards on all entrances
• Remove and store unused equipment in cool, dry place
• Final heft test — hive should feel very heavy
• Record final inspection notes for winter records

Cluster tightens; minimal foraging; overwintering begins.

• Stop feeding syrup once temperatures drop consistently
• Wrap hive with insulation wrap (northern climates)
• Clean and store used tools and empty supers
• Check hive weight once more — should hold 60–80 lbs of stores
• Read next season's beekeeping books

Colony in tight winter cluster; bees survive on stored honey.

• Minimum hive disturbance — bees in tight cluster
• Check hive entrance is clear of ice and snow after storms
• Order bees for next season if not yet done→ /blog/where-to-buy-bees
• Attend beekeeping club winter meetings
• Clean and repair equipment in the workshop