Hive inspection day brings me so much joy. I love being able to see how the hive is progressing, how the queen is laying, and figuring out the next steps for the hive. Now I really dislike the MN summers when it comes to hive inspections. Yesterday was so humid, so today it was farm chores then hurry to the hive to make sure it was done before it got too hot out. 

Hive number one is looking really good, needed a second brood box added, but wow those ladies were not happy with me. I don't know if they were uphappy because it was an early inspection, or if I may have squished one that upset them. 

Hive number two well that was a different story. They were content. Now hive two is a week behind and seems to be a smaller hive. Queen is still an egg laying machine. Hopefully next week they have filled up a few more frames and they can have brood box number two. 

I am curious what ideas or bee keeping hacks have you felt helped with your bees? I long for the days when I am comfortable just dropping the gloves. Today was not that day.

Wow what a different experience and sense of confidence going into year two being a beekeeper. 

When the hive died over the winter, I was devastated. I really didn't think I could do it again. I kept thinking it will be so hard to keep going. 

My great support system kept saying I couldn't give up, I needed to try again. So I realized they are right. I need to do this again, and its time to learn all that I can before the bees come.

I spoke with other keepers, ask all the questions, watched all the tik toks, read a few books and researched purchasing a nuc this time. Last year I purchased a 3 lb pack of bees, this year I was determined to do everything possible to get some honey off the bees. 

So Ames farm was a perfect option, I wasn't real happy having to drive to pick them up because what is it going to be like with bees in the car, and all those questions started to run through my head. 

Then I thought what about a second hive....I mean they say two is better than one. So a second hive it is. I am very much the person that does the research, so it took a little to decide on which hive next. While I also had to make sure I had all the extra boxes, all the frames, and just making sure I was prepared. Now my frames were all full of honey. How was I going to make sure they had room to lay eggs when the frames were full? So....more boxes, and another lesson learned was buy the preassembled. The frames I got last year, well they were starting to show wear and some were falling apart. So what about an automatic stapler that would keep them together....yup sounds like a great idea. By this time it was time to get repairing those frames, and get ready for another year of keeping. 

I needed stands, but worry no more my moms boyfriend did a great job of making two solid stands, and new entrance reducers. Next thing I need to show him is the boxes, I am sure he could make those too. 

Fast forward to the week the bees were to be ready for pick up, and I got the email they were delayed. Ok, I can deal, but I needed to make time to pick them up. All the questions were running through my head how do I bring them home.....call your mother ask her to join. What an experience. Beekeepers are seriously oh so nice, all the tips and tricks, and advice for the next winter was great.

This week nuc number one was picked up, because the weather has been horrible in Minnesota nuc number two is not ready until the following weekend. Which actually works out well, gives me time to install one at a time.

Installing the nuc was a bit difficult because it has been raining everyday. A quick 2 hour window today provided for a break in the rain. It was so fun to see the queen right away, the nuc is so established and ready for get out and explore. 

How could this happen? How did I think I would be ok when the bees all died? How do I continue? The bees were so happy going to the winter, so much honey stored up and a healthy mite level or so I thought.

Just some of the thoughts that ran through my head. I have prepped myself for this and still I was not prepped enough. While I know I have not opened the hive completely, I am seeing no movement on the nice spring days.

What do I do next? Can I do this again? I mean I wasn't successful, but many keepers say the first year is hard. Like really hard. I didn't think it was hard, but did I fail and not do something? 

So its on to some research, joining some new groups on social media, talking with a few keepers that I know.

I don't give up, so instead of giving up its time to purchase another hive, and a nuc this time. Last year I went with just 3 lbs of bees, and so many keepers swear by the nuc instead. The nuc should help to get the honey flowing faster. While I am not 100% sure the hive is gone, I thought well its time to purchase just one nuc. But because I have hair brained ideas.... I have purchased two nucs. 

This year does require a better mite treatment, even more love from me, and grace.

Now Mother Nature please get your crap together because I have hives to get set up, and bees that come in May. 

-xoxo