JANUARY 2026
Happy New Year to all!
My favourite day of the year has been and gone (21st December) and the days are gradually getting longer day by day, although it feels at the moment as if winter has only just arrived!
I have been keeping an eye on my bees on warmer days and intend to do the rounds again next week if there is a warmer day, to make sure all is well and top up the fondant if need be. This will be a very quick lift of the lid, plonk in the fondant and close the lid again to minimise disturbance to the bees. I always wonder if it’s worth the trouble of putting my suit on, but I do, just in case an over enthusiastic guard bee takes exception to my presence!
Apart from adding fondant, observing bees on a warm day, and keeping an eye out for weather or wildlife damage to your hives, there is not much else to do. I have some kit that needs repairing still when the weather gets warm enough to potter about outside, and I intend to make up some brood frames in anticipation of changing some dirty old brood frames once the season gets going! I know I will be glad I did that, come the silly season.
There are a few trusty flowers around in my garden – primrose, winter flowering jasmine and winter honeysuckle. Viburnum Tinus and witch hazel are showing promising signs too.
Wishing you all a happy, peaceful and bountiful new year!
