Posted by master herbalist | Posted in gardening, Herbs, home remedy | Posted on 19-01-2012
Beekeeping
The honey bee is nature’s most effective pollinator; she accounts for 80% of all pollination done by insects. A typical hive yields 20-40 pounds of honey per year depending on weather, rainfall, forage and the strength of your colony. Honeybees are productive insects that thrive in backyard hives. Since millions of colonies have been wiped out by urbanization, pesticides and parasitic mites, backyard beekeeping has become vital to efforts to reestablish strong colonies and offset declines in pollination.
How to get started:
- Read and research, join a beekeeping guild and find a mentor.
- Assemble the hive components, tools and gear.
- Practice keeping your smoker lit.
- Make a sturdy hive stand.
- Order your bees early.
Materials:
- two hive bodies, a bottom board, supers, inner and outer covers, frames, foundation, a veil and gloves, a smoker and a hive tool
- a hive stand to keep the hive off the ground can be made from scrap lumber; put the feet in tins of oil to protect from ants
- a four-pound package of bees
Resources:
- santacruzbees.com (guild)
- carriersbees.com (supplies)
- beeculture.com
- Beekeeping for Dummies by Howland Blackiston
