Sustainable beekeeping, chickens, and cake
This event was organised by Sussex Wildlife Trust, in conjunction with the University of Sussex, and held at the Jubilee Building at the campus in Falmer. After introductions from Fran Southgate of Sussex Wildlife Trust, and Chris Sandom, Senior Lecturer at the University, the conference started. I will highlight a few of my personal gems … Continue reading Landscape Innovation Conference (Part I)
This workshop, like the autumn/winter one, is a chance to get ready for the upcoming season, and compare experiences with other beekeepers before the work begins. I noticed the willow near me has just started to burst its buds, meaning the bees will have some much-needed nectar and pollen in the next few weeks. The … Continue reading Spring beekeeping workshop
I don't use foundation in my frames as I prefer to let my bees build their own comb. There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, the combs are essentially the bees' internal organs, where they raise their young, store their food, rest, groom, and carry out their communications. Sheets of foundation (beeswax with … Continue reading Foundationless frames
I am starting the sourdough courses this weekend, and have ordered some important and interesting flours to both try myself, and demonstrate to the bakers. Flour? Important? Interesting?? Seriously? Well, yes. I listened to a brilliant series of podcasts by Farmarama, where they discussed the grain used for baking bread, from growing, to harvesting, to … Continue reading Flour and friends
We are due some sporty weather over the net few days due to Storm Brendan passing through, and there is no sign yet of any spring forage, although I did notice the hazel catkins in the field opposite me, and the gorse shrubs - even though they are few and far between in my area … Continue reading More inspection boards
This between time is a rare chance to catch up with some thoughts, and both reflect on the previous year and look forward to the one coming. The more I read/hear/watch about the world we are living in, the more I keep reverting to a stance of resilience and working with natural systems rather than … Continue reading New Year
I went to check on my bees today and see if they were flying, as it is quite mild and the wind has dropped. There was activity with all of them apart from the very late swarm I collected in August. I noticed my stick entrance block had been dislodged so I presumed a mouse … Continue reading Hive Failure
We have had a huge amount of rain here in Sussex - and across the UK - recently, and my house is thankfully situated on higher ground so I am not in immediate danger of inundation, although my garden does get standing water in the sunken section, much to the ducks' delight: https://videopress.com/v/LCtFumti?preloadContent=metadata Further down … Continue reading Floods
Back in August, I had the pleasure of hosting a photoshoot at my house for a publication called Primary Paper, the theme being "Environment". I had warned the photographer, Morgan Hill-Murphy that I had colonies dotted around in a natural setting rather than gangs of hives in rows, and that I wouldn't necessarily be able … Continue reading Primary Paper
I read a very interesting thing on Twitter this evening - I'm amazed to have found something noteworthy in amongst all the General Election mudslinging - from someone called Joe Ibbertson (@BizzleBugs) who I follow as he is also a treatment-free beekeeper: I think this is a really great summary. Consider this: a fundamental aspect … Continue reading Bees in winter