If I could change the direction of modern beekeeping, I would insist on responsibility. The more I read about the health crisis of honey bees, the more I think we beekeepers have created our own problems. It’s convenient to blame everyone else, but outside influences are only part of the story. Having said that, if […] Read more
Of the many questions I receive each year, most are about how to do basic things. How to feed, how to split, how to prepare for winter. Each of these is an important question, and each deserves a careful answer. But what I consider the most difficult aspect of beekeeping is seldom mentioned. It is […] Read more
It’s an odd thing, but I never encourage people to become beekeepers. Once someone decides to keep bees, I try to help them along and I enjoy that aspect. But I never try to convince anyone that beekeeping is a good idea. This arises, I think, from fundamental beliefs I have about bees in general. […] Read more
“October is not far away, “ I said at breakfast. Then I ran through a list of questions that typically come in October. Sadly, many are related to the sudden death of previously healthy colonies. I don’t look forward to it. After listening thoughtfully, my non-beekeeping husband came up with a list of what he […] Read more
One day in August I was sitting in an Adirondack chair midway between a busy bee hive and a large stand of lemon balm. I had a notebook and was trying to outline my next post. “You are so noisy, I can’t think!” I complained aloud. But I wasn’t addressing the hive, I was speaking […] Read more
Just an update from what used to be known as “The Sunshine State”… Well, for those of you thinking about your next vacation, it’s been raining here for 18 days straight. We have started building an ark in the barn, large enough for the horses, all the dogs, and our thirty hives! I bought a […] Read more
August 17, 2015. Nine p.m. EDT. It is dark, seasons are changing and we better be getting ready. Earlier today I went around the farm taking some pictures. Old folk lore says that when the goldenrod begins to bloom it is only six more weeks until the first frost. I really like this picture from […] Read more