Our recommended first steps are that you get hold of the blue book, Beekeeping in South Africa which is available on our website by mail order or if you collect in Centurion.

Southern Hemisphere:  [Summer] > At this point in the year, it is vital that you monitor your hives with honey flow or nectar flow as they build and expand with amazing speed during the spring time. 

If you miss a harvest for a couple of weeks it could mean your bees split off and this weakens the colony and lowers production at the same time. to prevent this make sure you have spare super chambers to add on to your colony when they start filling up the existing one. 

Make sure your hives are close to nectar flows of crops to take full advantage of the summer flow and this can include oranges, lemons, litchi, avocado, sunflower, borage, sweet basil, lavendar, pumpkin, grenadilla/passion fruit and more... 

[Winter] It is not recommended to remove or harvest honey from your hives at this time of year unless you are in coastal regions or you expect to have a winter crop of food for the bees. 

Any colony that is not strong enough, that is has more than 50% of the brood chamber full of comb should be fed sugar water now to strengthen them to survive the winter.  
 
Eat honey and propolis gathered during the spring and summer season to boost immune system and ward off illness. Apply honey to cracked and dry hands and fingers as a moisturiser.       
 
Make a hot toddy with warm milk, raw honey & cinnamon to help with boosting immune system for the winter season!                    

Northern Hemisphere [summer] keep colonies going with the  nectar flows by moving your bees to seasonal crops and orchards that flower in the spring and summer periods. 
   
Almonds, sunflower and many more crops will be ready to accept pollination from honey bees.  

[Winter] As it moves into winter abstain from harvesting honey at this point to allow the bees to store some for the winter months. Honey beats sugar water everyday... If you are in very cold temperatures and the bees wont be able to forage during your winters for extended periods consider feeding and insulating the hive... 
   
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