In 2017, the apiary grew to four hives, all carniolans. This year, the hives were moved and positioned in the sunniest part of the yard, south facing, and protected from the colder northern winds just beside the greenhouse.

From the beginning, three of the four nucs were super-heathy and full of life.

Hive 2 swarmed in June.

Capped honey

Nucs arrived – Apr 2017

All quiet on a rainy day.

Day 1. In their new homes.

Can you find the queen?

Nuc 1

Capped honey

Nuc 3

Hives needed smoke this year.

new frames, all with new comb

Jan 2017

Cranky when I take a peek.

House cleaning.

brood and honey

Healthy Hives 1 & 2

Nuc 2

Queen excluder

Orange pollen

Nuc 4

Drawing comb.

Workers

Queen exluder between brood and top feeder.

More workers

Frame from original nuc.

Workers

Surpisingly quiet yet busy here.

Healthy Hives 3 & 4

In 2017, unlike last year, I fed the bees all summer. All four hives were strong and healthy. But, sadly by October, two of the hives were dead. By November, all four were dead. I think the die off was because I treated for mites too late in the season. I won’t make that mistake again.