January

• Periodically heft the hives to assess the stores and feed fondant if necessary, avoid moving the crown board by using an eke or empty super if needed.
• Buy and build any equipment for the coming year and paint and repair any spare equipment. [Keep an eye on sales from suppliers.]
• Attend any Association meetings. Listen to any speakers and more experienced beekeepers to swap ideas and gain information.
• Prepare a book or sheets for hive records.

February 

• The days will now be noticeably longer, and brood rearing should be under way. 
• Do not open any hives this month
• Continue to heft and feed the hives as necessary. 
• Ensure the hives have not been affected by the weather and repair and reinstate as needed. 
• Continue to use the time to plan for the upcoming season and build up equipment. 
• Continue to monitor the hive entrance for activity and for pollen being collected. 
• The forage for February is much as January but with more spring bulbs starting to produce nectar in small amounts 

March

• Usually, March is the start of the warmer part of the year but
•  never open the hives unless it is ‘shirt sleeves’ weather.
•  If there is anything wrong with the bees there is nothing that can be done now until April/May except for feeding them. Monitor the entrance as usual to see how the bees are behaving. 
• Continue to heft and feed the hives as necessary.
• Check for pollen being taken into the hive. 
• If the hive is inspected, do not disturb the brood nest. Quickly check for any sign of disease (odour or faeces in the hive), stores and bees. 
• Close up hives that have perished in the winter. [Remove from the apiary clean and sterilise.] 
• Inspect the bottom board for varroa drop. 
• Flowering now are blackthorn, willow and gorse, with the start of the dandelion.