The Complete Beekeeper · Northern California
Start yourfirst hivewith confidence.
A practical, self-paced course built around Northern California seasons—taught by a family that has kept bees since 1892.
Already enrolled? Access your course
since 1892
From first hive to first harvest.
- 01
Get oriented
Understand bees, equipment, and safety.
- 02
Build confidence
Install your hive and care for your colony.
- 03
Keep them thriving
Manage health, pests, and swarms.
- 04
Enjoy the rewards
Harvest honey and plan ahead for the season.
Built for your first season.
This course is for you if…
- You are starting your first hive or still planning it.
- You want practical, structured guidance.
- You prefer self-paced learning.
- You are in or near Northern California.
This course is not for you if…
- You want advanced commercial methods.
- You prefer a one-day, in-person class.
- You need live, staffed instructor support.
- You need region-specific instruction outside Northern California.
Curriculum
The NorCal beekeeping field guide.
8 modules · 35 lessons · 7h 40m
Everything you need to know before getting your first bees. Equipment selection, hive placement, and what to expect in your first year.
Installing your first package of bees, performing your first inspections, and setting expectations for year one.
- 01Where to Get Your Bees14 min
- 02Installing Your Package or Nuc18 min
- 03Your First Inspection18 min
- 04Year One Timeline13 min
Keeping your colony healthy: supplementing, disease prevention, pest management, and varroa mite control.
- 01When and How to Feed14 min
- 02Common Diseases16 min
- 03Varroa Mite Management18 min
- 04Other Pests and Predators14 min
Understanding the queen's role, finding her during inspections, requeening, and handling queen issues.
- 01Finding Your Queen13 min
- 02Assessing Queen Health14 min
- 03When and How to Requeen16 min
- 04Dealing with a Queenless Hive12 min
Understanding, preventing, and capturing swarms. Turn swarming from a problem into an opportunity.
- 01Understanding Swarms11 min
- 02Swarm Prevention14 min
- 03Swarm Capture Techniques16 min
- 04Rehoming Your Swarm9 min
Growing from one or two hives to a larger operation. Efficiency tips, equipment, and management strategies.
- 01When to Add Hives11 min
- 02Making Splits16 min
- 03Efficiency at Scale12 min
- 04Record Keeping8 min
The sweet reward! When to harvest, extraction methods, processing, and storage of your honey.
- 01When to Harvest12 min
- 02Extraction Methods20 min
- 03Processing and Bottling16 min
- 04Storage and Shelf Life10 min
- 05Beyond Honey: Wax, Propolis, Pollen8 min
Month-by-month guide for California beekeepers. What to do and when, with tips for other climates.
- 01Spring Tasks (February–May)16 min
- 02Summer Tasks (June–August)14 min
- 03Fall Tasks (September–November)14 min
- 04Winter Tasks (December–January)12 min
Preview the complete first module now. All remaining lessons unlock after enrollment.
NorCal Beekeeping Calendar
Northern California field reference
Hive Inspection Checklist
- Queen and brood pattern
- Food stores and space
- Pest and disease signs
- Actions before next visit
Live resource previews
Take the field guide to the hive.
- Downloadable Northern California seasonal calendar
- Hive inspection checklist
- Varroa management cheat sheet
- Completion certificate
Instructor & heritage
Learn from a family that has kept bees since 1892.
Daniel Reed
4th Generation Beekeeper
200+ hives managed · Sonoma & Napa Counties
Daniel comes from a family that has kept bees in Northern California since 1892. Growing up surrounded by hives, he learned the craft from his father, who learned from his father before him. Today, Daniel manages over 200 hives across Sonoma and Napa counties while continuing the family tradition of teaching others the art of beekeeping. He's performed hundreds of free swarm removals for the local community and is passionate about bee conservation.
Compare notes with local beekeepers.
An optional peer group for sharing photos, inspection notes, and questions with other Northern California beginners. Peer-to-peer — not staffed instructor Q&A.
Question from Sarah · Petaluma, CA
My hive is bringing in pollen, but I am not seeing much brood. What should I check first?
Reply from a fellow beekeeper
Check for queen cells and make sure you have fresh eggs. Also look for varroa.
$79
One payment.
Lifetime access.
- 30-day guarantee
- All 8 modules and 35 lessons
- All resources and downloadable guides
- Learn anytime, anywhere
Frequently asked questions
Still deciding? Ask NorCal Nectar.