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I’d encourage all new beekeepers to maintain a journal. There are commercial beekeeping journals available with hive inspection sheets and other features but any old notebook will do. You will appreciate your journal next year when you’re trying to remember when the nectar flow started, when you first saw white wax, swarm dates, when various plants started blooming, when dearth began, and much more. These events have a direct bearing on your hive management such as making splits, adding boxes, removing reducers, treating for mites and hive beetles, etc. Keeping a journal will make you a better beekeeper, more observant, and increase your enjoyment and knowledge of what’s happening with your bees.
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We farm – I’ve always grabbed extra calendars every year. Our breed livestock have their own calendars, we keep a general farm calendar that gets filled out every January. I tried a notebook when I got the bees – and ended up going back to a calendar. I record temperatures, inspection info and so on. When I inspect – I make my list to take out with me – and I keep those lists in my bee room, along with all the receipts for bee expenses. Also have my hubby take photos with my phone when I inspect.
I’m thinking that next year – I’ll be happy to have something to refer back to.
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Excellent idea using calendars. I kept a detailed journal for about three years before deciding I’d like to develop the skill set to cold call visits and make decisions each visit. At that time I just used bricks in various positions to tip me off as to what to expect inside. That was okay but, like you, I want more information again. Started queen rearing and now I really need a calendar / journal combination. Thanks for the comment!
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