In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew welcomes Anne Frey to explore the practical and often uncertain process of preparing for spring package bees. Together, they discuss one of the most common beekeeper questions—how many colonies to order—highlighting that the answer depends not only on winter losses, but also on personal goals, budget, and the balance between enjoyment and workload in beekeeping.

The conversation then shifts to the realities of transporting packages safely. Jim and Anne emphasize that overheating is the greatest danger during travel, noting the importance of airflow, spacing between packages, and avoiding enclosed vehicles or unnecessary stops that allow temperatures to rise. They share field experiences ranging from hauling large numbers of packages in trucks to improvising cooling strategies with water and ventilation—illustrating how quickly confined bees can become stressed or perish without proper care.

Beyond logistics, the episode reflects on the evolving motivations of beekeepers over time. Jim candidly considers scaling back to a smaller, more enjoyable number of colonies, while Anne reinforces that maintaining fewer hives can still be a meaningful and successful beekeeping path. The discussion ultimately returns to the excitement of beginning each season anew, reminding listeners that thoughtful planning—and keeping beekeeping fun—are just as important as the bees themselves.

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Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

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Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

Winter doesn't always offer tidy lessons, and in this Plain Talk episode, Jim Tew takes listeners with him into a brutally cold Ohio bee yard. Standing among hives buried in snow after weeks of extreme temperatures, Jim shares an honest, unfiltered look at what it feels like to face possible winter losses—without inspections, without answers, and without easy optimism.

Rather than offering prescriptions or quick fixes, Jim reflects on expectations versus reality. He talks candidly about how weather outside a region's "normal range" can push colonies beyond their limits, even when bees have adequate stores and minimal disturbance. Listeners will hear Jim wrestle with hard questions many beekeepers face quietly: How many colonies should I replace? Packages or splits? What could I have done differently—and what might not have mattered at all?

This episode also touches on broader themes of resilience and perspective. Jim contrasts textbook claims about cold tolerance with lived experience, and he acknowledges the financial and emotional weight winter losses carry, especially later in life. Yet, even in the coldest moments, the episode closes with resolve. Beekeeping is not abandoned because of a bad winter—it's continued because of the good days that come after.

This is Plain Talk at its most raw: reflective, sobering, and deeply familiar to anyone who has ever stood quietly in a winter bee yard wondering what spring will bring.

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Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

______________________

Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

In this Plain Talk episode, Jim Tew records from his shop as a major winter storm approaches, using the moment to reflect on beekeeping, weather, and long-term planning. He shares a personal story about storms, preparation, and unpredictability before turning his attention to the coming season and what lies ahead for his apiary.

Jim discusses plans to rebuild his colonies after winter losses, including ordering packages, establishing a single outyard, and returning to what he calls "traditional beekeeping," with a renewed focus on insulation and colony comfort. He walks listeners through recent equipment choices, including insulated inner covers, winter feeding options, and the challenges of managing moisture and heat retention during extreme cold.

The conversation also touches on adopting modern tools such as hive sensors, balancing old-school practices with new technology, and making practical decisions about foundation, equipment reuse, and labor as a solo beekeeper. Throughout the episode, Jim reflects on aging, changing goals, and the humility that comes with starting over—again.

As the storm settles in, Jim closes with a reminder to stay safe, look out for one another, and remember that beekeeping, like many pursuits, is a continual process of learning, adapting, and beginning anew

______________________

Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

______________________

Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC