Setting up new beehives in Seattle requires planning well ahead of the spring package deliveries. We are loading our pickup truck with new bee gear: 10 packages of bees ordered and parts for 8 new hives. Some of these hives will replace dead-outs from last winter. Others will increase our total count from 19 to approximately 26 hives.
Expanding the Urban Honey Apiary
The new hive placements will be split between the Urban Horticulture Center at the University of Washington and new private home host sites around Seattle. We are still actively looking for at least one more placement location in the north Seattle area. If you have a backyard and want to host a hive or two, Seattle Urban Honey is always interested in new sites.
February Beekeeping in Seattle
February in Seattle is too cold for much bee activity. The bees are clustered inside the hive, eating through their winter honey stores. As a result, we added granulated sugar under the inner cover lid as supplemental food — a lightweight emergency measure that does not require opening the hive on cold days. Last year was warmer at this time and we had bees flying more. This year they have been largely confined, which is a reminder to always err on the side of leaving more honey for the bees at the end of each season.