We just can't get enough of Spring, so we are back with another honey-sweetened recipe that will no doubt be a favorite at any occasion. This fruit salad has a delicious unexpected flavor that you will not be able to resist. Perfect for potlucks, parties or backyard BBQ's.

Ingredients:
3 lbs strawberries (washed, stemmed, quartered)
7 oranges (peeled, flesh cubed)
6 kiwi (peeled, diced)
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (NOT Bottled!)
2 TBSP Raw local honey
2 TBSP fresh mint (optional)
1 tsp flake sea salt (yes, salt)
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Directions:
Add the fruit to a large bowl. If making ahead, keep fruit in the fridge until time to serve. Just before serving time, mix together the lime juice, honey, optional mint and salt. Pour over the fruit salad, toss and enjoy!!
You can find the original recipe here: Chris Loves Julia

IN THE HIVE:
- The bees may still cluster on cold days, but will be foraging and bringing in large quantities of pollen and nectar into the hive. 
- Despite the increase in foraging, colonies can still starve this month if flights are limited by bad weather or cold days. 
- Increase in drone rearing.
- Allow 1-2 weeks for a new package or nuc to establish before inspecting. 
INSPECTIONS & NUTRITION:
- Do a quick inspection of the brood pattern and food stores on the warmest days. 
- The colony should have 3-4 full honey combs. Feed the colony if the hive is light or the stores of honey are empty.
- Feed packages or nucs as soon as you get them.
- Use candy board, dry sugar, capped honey frames or a feeder with 1:1 sugar syrup.

PEST MANAGEMENT:
- It's tme to do a monthly monitoring of Varroa mites. Treat if you find 2 or more mites per 100 bees after a sugar shake or alcohol wash.
- If you are treating for mites with methods that cannot be used when supers are present, now is the time to use those treatments. 
- Check every single brood frame in the hive for American Foulbrood.
- Clean dead bees and debris off the bottom board during the first full hive inspection to prevent pest and disease infestation. 

​EQUIPMENT:
- This is a good month for requeening.
- Check often for swarm cells.
- Install new packages and nucs as they arrive.
- Balance out the hives by moving brood frames from one to another , but don't go overboard.
- Now is also a great time to swap hive locations. 

BEE YARD & ENVIRONMENT:
- Remove winter insulation and mouse guards, leave entrance reducers on.
- Remember to take notes if any colonies didi not live through the winter. try to diagnose what happened and note what you could do differently. 
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BLOOMING NOW:
- Dandelions
- Crocus
- Witch Hazel
- Maples, Willlows, Elms and Eastern Redbuds
- Poplar Trees
-Skunk Cabbage, Wild Strawberry, Deadnette, Yellow Rocket

​It was a great day at the farm for our 2024 Bee Package Pickup. Here is a quick recap of tips for installing your new bees. 

When to install
If possible, install package bees in the late afternoon or early evening when there is less chance of flight. 

• Prepare the package
  Lightly mist the bees with sugar water.
• Prepare the hive
  Remove the feed can and queen cage, and set the cage aside in a safe place. 
• Install the package
  Gently pull the queen cage out of the package and set it in between the tops of two frames, angle the hole towards the top. Next, turn the  bee package upside down and shake it to help the bees fall into the hive. You may need to strike the side of the package to help move the bees into the hive. Don't worry if a few bees are still in the package box. Place the package boxes on top of the bee hive or near the hive entrance so straggler bees will find their way out of the package box and into the hive.
• Inspect the colony
  Five days after installing the package, inspect that the queen is alive and has been released. Inspect again after another five days to verify that the queen has begun laying eggs. Eggs appear as small grains of rice standing up in the center of cells. If necessary, add sugar syrup again. 

​Spring is here and we thought it would be the perfect time to share an easy Spring inspired recipe, and a great way for you to showcase some of the honey from your apiary! This Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette would be a perfect side dish or appetizer for an Easter luncheon. 
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​Salad Ingredients:
– 1 cup uncooked quinoa
– 2–3 cups frozen peas
– 1/2 cup feta cheese
– 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
– 1/2 cup freshly chopped basil and cilantro
– 1/2 cup almonds, pulsed in a food processor until crushed

Dressing Ingredients:
– 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (1–2 large juicy lemons)
– 1/3 cup olive oil
– 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
– 3 tablespoons honey
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How to Make It:   Cook the quinoa according to package directions. I make this the night before and let it chill in the fridge so it separates better for the salad.
Bring a pot of water to boil and then turn off the heat. Add the peas and cover until bright green. I do this instead of regular boiling so they don’t get wrinkly! Toss the quinoa with the peas, feta, bacon, herbs, and almonds.
Puree all the dressing ingredients in the food processor. Toss the dressing with the salad ingredients. Season generously with salt and pepper. Serve tossed with fresh baby spinach, on crackers, or just by itself!
​See the full recipe at pinchofyum.com