The wintertime is a subdued sentence for apiarist . The beehive are secured and safe , and there ’s piddling to do but wait out the cold . There are endearing bodily function to do while wait — making soaps , lotions , balms , mead and other terrific rude items from the products of the hive — but one of the most rewarding of them is guiding the next genesis of beekeepers on their first raid into the hobby .
Many beekeeping clubs host wintertime workshop . The yr before we got our first hives , we attended a six - week evening class on beginning beekeeping skills , taught by the sr. beekeepers and host by our local county lengthiness avail . We were among many blade new beekeeper , but assist were also second- or third - class beekeeper , looking to sharpen their skills and ask interrogation of the community . Each Tuesday even , we bunch up up , braved the cold , brought bite and geeked out on all thing beekeeping . It was a grand sentence , and I prize the connections we made there .
As a more experient beekeeper , you have an opportunity to share the wisdom you and your colleague have gained . Often , this is fabric that ca n’t be interpret in Bible : the cognition of your unique region , its flowering works and how the honeybees prosper within that fix . The most helpful usher for novel beekeepers are the generations that came before . You are there to teach how each season presents its challenge , the secrets of the timing of bloom and nectar flows , and how to support your bee good in their time of need .
If you ’re quick , here are a few elbow room to get started as a beekeeping wise man :
1. Use Social Media
make a Facebook or Instagram page about your apiary and beekeeping practices . postal service picture , share your experience and invite your community to come after you .
2. Locate & Join Clubs
Connect with your county file name extension office and bring together beekeeping club . Volunteer your time , give ear meetings and offer to answer doubtfulness for father .
3. Start A Newsletter
4. Teach
Offer to instruct class . During my commencement beekeeper line , we had one principal teacher and several guest speakers , many of them highly experienced apiculturist in our biotic community . Their stimulant was invaluable , and jolly disagreements between beekeeping technique yield us “ newbees ” a extensive range of a function of experience to draw from .
The hand - on hive maintenance will have to wait until spring , but wintertime beekeeping direction can take many forms . By merely let the cat out of the bag with new beekeepers , or swapping bakshish with experienced “ beeks , ” the winter can be a riches of info at a time when minds are still busy but hands are still .
