It was brisk and breezy despite the sunshine at the Berwick site today, so I was wondering if the bees would be flying. I've not been to check on them since the autumn, so I was keeping my fingers crossed for signs of life at the Thermosolar hive. I watched carefully and sure enough: foragers … Continue reading Checking on the Thermosolar Bees
Regenerative Beekeeping: Pollen
This post looks at how honey bee hives can be used for purposes beyond the obvious honey production, particularly with respect to farmers and growers using regenerative principles to help heal the land. We observe the natural behaviour of the bees in and around their hive and use this data to evaluate the landscape, and … Continue reading Regenerative Beekeeping: Pollen
Regenerative Beekeeping
This is the big, necessary and progressive brother of sustainable beekeeping, and to me, represents a crystallisation of what I have learned through observing both my own bees and other colonies in all manner of hives and situations. So, how can beekeeping *improve* the environment where we run our hives? Agriculture, development, and a myriad … Continue reading Regenerative Beekeeping
Bees in a Snowy Winter
Wow - what a difference a day (or two) makes. A few days ago my bees were flying, and I was even able to put together a video post for my patrons as I headed down to the apiary to check the entrances and inspection boards. Bees cluster up together to keep warm in the … Continue reading Bees in a Snowy Winter
Gardening for Birds and Bees
I did my first Zoom wildlife gardening course on Saturday which went really well. It's definitely a different experience but I had a beekeeping couple join the session who live in the Netherlands with a large area of land, so obviously the advantage is that I can reach out far more with online courses. Part … Continue reading Gardening for Birds and Bees
Apple & Marmalade Cake
This is a recipe I have adapted from River Cottage Fruit, where I have halved the quantity and substituted dried apricots for the sultanas. I thought apricots would work well with the marmalade, whisky and the apples...and I was right! I made a huge amount of marmalade this year, but I adore it both on … Continue reading Apple & Marmalade Cake
Neonicotinoids and Honey Bees
Oh dear - these are back in the news. Sadly the focus of the argument is producing the same reactive inflammatory discussion between 'farmers' and 'conservationists' even though both actually want the same: a healthy productive environment where all of us - and by "us" I mean all living things - can live, work, and … Continue reading Neonicotinoids and Honey Bees
Cake Recipe for Zoom Beekeeping
Parsnip & ginger cake As many of you will know, I am a huge fan of baking and just because my courses are now on Zoom, I still want to have an opportunity to make cakes. So, here is the recipe for the cake I will have on Saturday for my first online Introduction to … Continue reading Cake Recipe for Zoom Beekeeping
Zoom Gardening for Bees and Wildlife
Our insects and wildlife are suffering severe declines, but gardening and getting outside is the perfect opportunity to learn how we can help our bees and other insects and wildlife in these valuable spaces. If you're already a beekeeper and would like to know how best to increase the natural forage and biodiversity for your … Continue reading Zoom Gardening for Bees and Wildlife
Midwinter Apiary Visit
We have had a lot of rain, stormy weather, and low temperatures here in the south east over the past couple of weeks so apart from strapping down the hives against Storm Bella, I've not been over to the apiary. It was cold and damp today, but I wanted to have a look at the … Continue reading Midwinter Apiary Visit