Birthdays, Bee Houses, and Preparing the Hives for Winter…
Today is my birthday, and out here on Temple Mountain, there is no better way to celebrate than spending a quiet morning checking in on the hives. September 7th always brings a distinct crispness to the New Hampshire air, signaling to both me and the bees that it is time to shift our focus entirely toward the cold months ahead.
Many people assume bees go to sleep or hibernate when winter hits, but the reality is much more fascinating. Right now, our colonies are working harder than ever to organize, tighten up, and winterize their homes.
The Art of the Winter Cluster
As the autumn temperatures begin to drop, honeybees don't leave the hive; instead, they form a tight, buzzing ball known as a winter cluster. By constantly flexing their flight muscles, they generate pure kinetic heat, keeping the center of the cluster a cozy 90°F to 95°F, even when the mountain air drops below zero.
To help them keep that heat regulated, we employ a few specialized winter setups. We keep all of our hives tilted forward to prevent freezing condensation from dripping down onto the cluster. We also use a precise condensation hive setup, pairing clear Plexiglas inner covers with heavy foam board and wrap-around hive huggers directly beneath the outer cover to hold the warmth in.
Artisan Honeys for the Cold Months
While the bees are busy sealing up cracks with propolis, I am busy in the honey room preparing our special artisan infusions to keep your pantry bright all winter. Our slow-steeped Organic Lavender Honey brings a soothing, floral calmness to cozy evening teas. On the flip side, our signature organic hot honey, Hot honey honey, and our seasonal Cranberry Sage bring the perfect warming heat and harvest zest to roasted holiday meats and winter comfort foods.
Join Us: Upcoming Temple Events!
Because I love talking bees with our neighbors, I have a busy local schedule lined up this autumn right here in town, and I would love for you to join me:
September 27, 2026 – Temple Harvest Festival: Come stop by our booth! I’ll have our elevated glass bottles fully stocked with our classic Wildflower, Creamed honey, and our organic infusions. It’s the perfect time to grab your holiday gifts and autumn stocks.
October 22, 2026 – Temple Town Hall Presentation: I am hosting a community talk at the Town Hall to dive deep into the fascinating world of beekeeping, hive management, and local ecology.
October 24, 2026 (Saturday Morning) – Bee House Tour: Following the Town Hall talk, you can come see exactly how we do things. I am opening up our property for a morning tour of our custom bee house so you can see where the magic happens up close.
Thank you all for supporting Temple Mountain Honey for another wonderful year. Here’s to a beautiful, sweet autumn season ahead!
