Beekeeping runs on a seasonal rhythm, and once you know it, the whole year makes sense. Here's the simple month-by-month calendar for a temperate climate — adjust the timing to your own region (a local club will tell you exactly when things shift where you live).
Winter: leave them alone, plan and buy gear. Late winter: order bees. Spring: install bees, start inspections, watch for swarming. Summer: add supers, harvest honey. Late summer/autumn: treat for varroa, feed if needed, prep for winter.
Winter (Dec-Feb): rest & plan
- Leave the hive closed — the bees are clustering to stay warm.
- On a mild day, a quick heft tells you if stores are low.
- This is buying season — set up your hive and gear, and order your bees now (packages and nucs sell out by February). Build your budget with the cost calculator.
Spring (Mar-May): the busy start
- Install your new bees when the weather warms.
- Begin inspections every 1-2 weeks — check the queen is laying and there's room to grow.
- Watch for swarming as the colony booms; add space before they feel crowded.
Summer (Jun-Aug): growth & harvest
- Add honey supers so the bees have room to store surplus.
- Keep monitoring for pests and disease.
- Harvest capped honey — tap it from a Flow Hive or spin it in an extractor.
Autumn (Sep-Nov): prepare for winter
- Treat for varroa — the critical window before winter bees are raised. See our varroa guide.
- Make sure they have enough stores; feed sugar syrup if light.
- Reduce entrances and weatherproof the hive against cold and damp.
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Find my hive →Frequently asked questions
When do I order bees?
Late winter — December to February — for spring delivery. Popular suppliers sell out early, so don't wait.
When can I harvest honey?
Usually mid-to-late summer, once frames are full and capped — and, in year one, often not at all, leaving the honey for the bees.
Does the calendar change by region?
Yes — warmer climates start earlier and run longer. Use this as the shape of the year and let a local club fine-tune the dates.
A general temperate-climate guide — adjust timing to your region and local advice. Contains affiliate links; we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.