Helping Your Hive Thrive: Fall & Winter Bee Prep
Fall & Winter Bee Prep: Helping Your Hive Thrive
Winter success begins long before the first snowfall. Join us for this practical, hands-on workshop and learn how to prepare your colonies for the challenges of a Canadian winter.
We’ll cover the essential steps every beekeeper should take in fall and early winter to improve overwintering success, including evaluating colony strength, monitoring and treating for Varroa mites, feeding strategies, moisture management, ventilation, insulation, and winterizing your equipment. You’ll also learn how to monitor your hives throughout the winter without disturbing the bees and what to look for as spring approaches.
This workshop includes demonstrations of wintering equipment and plenty of opportunities to ask questions and discuss real-world beekeeping experiences. Whether this is your first winter with bees or you’re looking to improve your overwintering success, you’ll leave with practical knowledge and a seasonal checklist you can put to use right away. Participants will receive a shop discount the day of the workshop to help with overwintering supplies.
**Also available: Join us virtually by Zoom!
You’ll learn:
- How to assess whether a colony is ready for winter
- When and how to feed for winter success
- Varroa monitoring and treatment timing
- Moisture control, ventilation, and insulation
- Winter wraps, mouse guards, and entrance reducers
- Winter hive monitoring and emergency feeding
- Common overwintering mistakes—and how to avoid them
Perfect for: Beginner and intermediate beekeepers
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Leave with the confidence to prepare your bees for winter and give your colonies the best possible start to a healthy, productive spring.
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About BeeCraft Creative Workshops:
BeeCraft Workshops are designed to offer thoughtful, hands-on learning experiences in a welcoming, small-group environment. Rooted in craft, curiosity, and practical skill-building, our workshops invite participants to slow down, learn by doing, and engage meaningfully with materials, processes, and other creators.
Our workshops span a wide range of creative and practical topics, from traditional handcrafts to practical skills and beekeeping topics. Each session is guided by experienced instructors who prioritize clear instruction, patience, and a relaxed positive environment. Whether you are trying something new for the first time or deepening an existing understanding, BeeCraft workshops are structured to be approachable, supportive, fun, and confidence-building.
We value learning environments that feel calm and unhurried. Class sizes are intentionally kept small to allow time for questions, individual guidance, and conversation. Our goal is not just to teach techniques, but to help participants understand the why behind what they are making or learning, so skills can be carried forward beyond the workshop itself. We also aim for a positive and fun experience. Our goal is to hear participants say, “that was great!” at the end of the workshop.
BeeCraft Workshops take place in a comfortable, community-oriented space with on-site parking available. The location is also close to public transportation, making it accessible by multiple travel options. During workshops, tea, coffee, and water are provided to help participants stay comfortable and focused throughout the session. If you prefer fancy beverages we encourage you to visit one of several cafés on Old Kingston Rd, just steps from our studio.
Accessibility:
At this time, our workshop space is not fully accessible. We recognize that this is a significant barrier, and improving accessibility is an important and ongoing goal for BeeCraft. We are actively working toward making our workshops more inclusive and accessible in the future, and we welcome feedback and conversation around access needs as part of that process.
Who are our creative workshops for:
Our workshops are aimed for adults unless otherwise specified (but all ages are typically welcome with supervision), and no prior experience is required unless noted in the individual workshop description.
What is included in our creative workshops:
All required materials are provided unless stated otherwise, safety equipment and aprons are always available, and participants will leave with either a finished piece, samples, or practical knowledge relevant to the workshop topic.
Cancellation policy:
All ticket purchases are final. No refunds will be issued. Cancellations made prior to two hours before the scheduled workshop will receive a full credit for a future booking redeemable within 6 months.
BeeCraft Workshops are about learning, community connection, and care for craft traditions, for pollinators, and for a relaxed and enjoyable experience. We look forward to welcoming you into the space.
Please reach out with any questions to hello@beecraft.ca
“Bee Equipped and Be Creative!”