2025: A Season of Growth at Ada’s Sweet Bees

This year was a working season for our apiary. We learned. We adapted. We strengthened our colonies and our process.

Our focus was simple. Keep colonies healthy. Improve survival going into winter. Build a stronger foundation for honey production and pollination services for the coming year.

We tracked inspections, weight trends, brood patterns, temperature stability, and forage availability across the year. Those records shaped every management decision.

What Went Well This Season

Hive Health

We condensed hive space when needed to help colonies maintain heat. Winter prep started earlier. Brood patterns were more stable as fall approached. Treatments were applied with better timing. Feeding was based on data instead of guesswork.

Overwinter Prep

Sensor data confirmed stronger temperature stability in condensed hives. Food use stayed more consistent in cold periods. This reduced stress and increased survival odds.

Nectar Flows and Forage Planning

We logged early-spring pollen sources such as willow and crocus. We tracked mid-season flows and late-season goldenrod. These notes will guide next year's planting and placement plans.

Challenges This Year

We also faced real challenges.

• Variable weather patterns impacted forage timing.

• Colony strength shifted at points where resources dropped.

• Some hives required heavier feeding and closer monitoring.

• Labor time increased during inspection cycles and treatment windows.

  
  

Each challenge produced better notes, better checklists, and better processes.

Key Lessons Learned

This season reinforced a few core principles.

• Data helps bees survive. Temperature, weight, and inspection logs matter.

• Condensing space supports winter strength when done at the right time.

• Early prep beats emergency correction.

• Forage mapping supports long-term colony stability.

• Slow, steady growth is better than fast expansion.

  
  

Looking Ahead to Next Season

We are carrying these goals into the coming year.

• Improve spring build-up with stronger early feeding plans.

• Expand nectar-support planting around apiary sites.

• Grow pollination services in small, responsible steps.

• Continue refining winter survival workflows.

• Begin to raise our own queens.

• Prepare nucs for overwintering and sell themthe following spring.

• Increase education and storytelling about our bees and our process.

  
  

Our apiary is more than honey. It is stewardship, family work, and care for creation. We are grateful for every supporter, customer, neighbor, farmer, and friend who follows our journey.

Thank you for being part of Ada’s Sweet Bees. We look forward to the season ahead.