Introduction How to Use This Book to Become a Better Beekeeper 6 In the Beginning For bees and beekeepers, the new year begins in late winter, as the days begin to warm and lengthen. Early spring is a reintroduction between bee and beekeeper. Why We Keep Bees 14 Bees (and Beekeepers) in Winter 22 Nourished by Honey 30 Back to the Beeyard 38 Spring: The World Wakes Up 46 Observing Your Bees 56 Spring Checklist 64 Winter and Spring Recipes: Spiced Honey Tea 21 Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding and Honey Cream 32 Roast Spring Lamb 37 Honey-Glazed Carrots 54 Asparagus with Lemon-Honey Vinaigrette 55 Growing Up The late spring and summer months are the most active for the bees and their keepers, as the world beyond the hive blooms and the colonies begin to produce delicious honey. Knowing Your Bees 72 Raising Gentle Bees 80 Understanding Honey Production 88 Mapping Your Garden 96 Knowing the Beekeeper 106 Natural Beekeeping 114 Summer Checklist 122 Summer Recipes: Honey-Ginger Lemonade 91 Honey-Dill Potato Salad 101 Honeyed Fruit Salad 124 Settling In The cooler days of fall bring the final honey harvest and then, a slowing of activity for the bees and the beekeeper. Both hope for a quiet, safe winter to prepare for the spring. The Honey Harvest 136 The Beeswax Harvest 146 Fall Checklist &.