Hello everyone, I'm new to beekeeping this season having set up two hives for myself (and a friend has two hives) ... all new equipment so no drawn foundation. We are Canadians, living near Ottawa, Ontario. We have our hives next to 15 acres of sunflower. We got our nucs in late June and so far they have progressed well, two are doing very well and the other two are growing but not as quick. The weather has been hot and dry all summer here. All the hives are into their 2nd brood chamber, the two larger ones more so. We tried placing honey supers on two of them, but after a week nothing was happening. I pulled them off, because I was getting concerned that we really need to concentrate on getting them ready for winter. I now understand that the bees were likely reluctant to move into the honey supers given its all new foundation. So, next year no queen extruders initally from what I understand. I am looking for any advice anyone might have for a first year beekeeper, and if you happen to live in Ontario even better because you will be familar with our climate and the timing of fall preparations. We will be feeding, just wondering when we should be starting. Any advice regarding winter protection would be awesome too. Any advice would be much appreciated by this new beekeeper. Thanks