This is the first entry in a season-long series. The plan is simple: every time we open a hive, we write down what we saw and post it here within a few days. No skipping the entries where things go wrong.
What we're running
The 2026 hives are splits off Dad's yard, the same Cache Valley genetics that have wintered here since the early days of the shop. We'll fill in the exact numbers and dates on the next entry, once everything is set up and we've done a real first inspection.
All standard Langstroth equipment. Nothing fancy. The point of the series isn't the gear, it's what happens with bees in this valley once you put them in a box and walk away.
What we'll write down each time
- Date and weather. Time of day, temperature, wind, what's blooming.
- What the bees were doing at the entrance before we opened anything.
- Frame-by-frame notes: brood pattern, queen sightings (or lack thereof), stores, any pests.
- What we did about it. Feeding, treatment, splits, supering, with the specific product or technique.
- What we'd do differently. The honest part.
- Photos. Real ones, not stock images.
Why we're publishing this
Two reasons.
One, beekeeping content online is overwhelmingly written from a national "average" perspective, advice that works in Georgia in May and falls apart in northern Utah at 4,500 feet. A real season journal from Cache Valley is something we couldn't find when we were starting out, so we're writing the one we wish we'd had.
Two, our gear recommendations get more useful when you can see how the gear actually performs in our hives. If we tell you a feeder is good, you should be able to scroll back and see us using it.
Where to follow along
- The full series lives on the First Season 2026 hub page. New entries appear there as they're published.
- The big-picture timing for our region is in Best Time to Start Beekeeping in Cache Valley.
- If you're getting your own hives this year, start with the How to Start Beekeeping in Cache Valley guide.
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