November 2026 to April 2027
The class and spring orders
One beginner class in February, two pickup Saturdays in spring, and the dates to order by in between.
How the class works
Four Saturday mornings, February 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 9am to noon in the back room of the shop. Twelve seats. $95 a person, $45 for a second person from the same household, with a printed handbook to keep.
We cover the hive and the beekeeper's year, the boxes and the gear, lighting a smoker and opening a hive. The last morning is outside, on an empty hive in the yard. Dress for the weather.
How a spring order works
- Tell us which kit or parts you want, raw or assembled and painted.
- Pay half when you order. We write your name on the order board.
- Assembled and painted orders close January 15, unassembled parts on March 6.
- Pick up on March 27 or April 10, 9am to 3pm, and pay the rest.
The calendar
Class sign-up opens
Twelve seats for the February class. Sign up at the counter or with the request form.
Last day for assembled and painted hives
We build and paint them in the back room through February and March.
Build-your-own morning
Bring your unassembled boxes and frames and use our benches, nails and glue, 10am to 1pm. Free.
Class one: the hive and the year
9am to noon in the back room.
Class two: boxes, frames and gear
Try on veils and suits, and put a frame together.
Class three: smoke and the first look
Lighting a smoker and opening a hive, step by step.
Class four: out in the yard
Practice on an empty hive in the yard behind the shop.
Last day for unassembled parts
Order by closing time for the spring pickups.
Spring pickup, day one
9am to 3pm. Bring the truck; we load it.
Spring pickup, day two
9am to 3pm, for everyone who could not come in March.
Save a seat in the February class.
Twelve seats, four Saturdays, $95.