January - Introduction

I came through the winter with two WBC hives in a corner of the garden facing due south over-looking open Hertfordshire countryside. Last year, in 2003, oilseed rape and bean fields were within sight.

Both hives have deep brood boxes of ten frames each. A third WBC hive has been acquired and will be used to manage swarms during the season and to increase the number of colonies to three. Both queens were virgin in 2003.