Update 2020
Sadly our bees did not make it through the winter and we are taking a break from beekeeping. We still hope for the wonderful sound of bees of all kinds in our pollinator's garden and continue to make our property inscect friendly - it still amazes us how most often troublesome insects are balanced out with beneficials when things are left to adjust. I can't bring myself to delete this page but leave it here to bring joy to everyone - - -
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Beekeeping.

We’ve been keeping honey bees since 2012 and it’s one of those pastimes where we’ll never stop learning. We’ve taken courses, referred to books, held discussions and attended clubs with fellow beekeepers and, of course, we’ve had lots of hands-on experience – ups and downs!! We’ve had as many as five hives and sometimes only one but however many hives we have the bees are completely fascinating to watch and such a lot can be learned. It’s a wonderful and useful way to spend some time on a warm summer’s day.

Here Charles is holding up a frame of nectar and honey. The cells have been filled with nectar that has had an enzyme added to it by the bees. Nectar is very runny but the bees evaporate most the water from it until it becomes thick honey. The honey is capped with fresh, creamy coloured wax. Each perfect little hexagon shaped cell is slightly tilted up so that when it is filled with fresh, runny nectar it won't dribble out. Such clever engineers !
An insight into bees, beekeeping & food - - -
This YouTube video featuring Sonoma County beekeeper Serge Labesque explains beekeeping and our essential relationship with bees and other pollinators.. It's a little long (just over 11 minutes) but it is well worth the time.
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Today we are much more aware of the fragility of our world and our place in it. The news is full of stories about the challenges that bees face. Honey bees make the headlines because they are an integral part of our farming economy but there are native bees and other creatures too that are essential pollinators of our crops and these are sometimes overlooked. There are groups that are trying to change this - locally we have The Island Pollinators Initiative.
And here's an article with some unsettling thoughts on all these things - always trying to keep an open mind!!.
And here's an article with some unsettling thoughts on all these things - always trying to keep an open mind!!.
Our Pollinator Patches
Actually our whole property is geared towards honey bees, native bees and other pollinators.
First, we have pockets of wild areas plus purpose sown flowers scattered around that suit pollinators (dandelions, thistles, willow tree, sunflowers, cornflowers, cosmos, wild carrot, flowers of raspberry, cabbage, asparagus, squash, fruit blossom - you get the picture!)
Perhaps more significantly, we have a ditch along two sides of our property that's packed with wild plants and acts like a wildlife corridor for those creatures that like the wet and those that fly! (bramble flowers & fruit, hawthorn, wild plum, daisies, bluebells, various plants I can't identify etc)
And then there's our purpose built area - our Bee Garden! A heavenly little corner filled with the alluring scent of beeswax and honey and the thrumming sound of busy wings amongst the flowers. Purposely planted to tempt pollinators of as many kinds as possible - it's one of my favourite places!
Check out this article about planting a bee attracting garden.
And of course we don't use harmful pesticides - - -
First, we have pockets of wild areas plus purpose sown flowers scattered around that suit pollinators (dandelions, thistles, willow tree, sunflowers, cornflowers, cosmos, wild carrot, flowers of raspberry, cabbage, asparagus, squash, fruit blossom - you get the picture!)
Perhaps more significantly, we have a ditch along two sides of our property that's packed with wild plants and acts like a wildlife corridor for those creatures that like the wet and those that fly! (bramble flowers & fruit, hawthorn, wild plum, daisies, bluebells, various plants I can't identify etc)
And then there's our purpose built area - our Bee Garden! A heavenly little corner filled with the alluring scent of beeswax and honey and the thrumming sound of busy wings amongst the flowers. Purposely planted to tempt pollinators of as many kinds as possible - it's one of my favourite places!
Check out this article about planting a bee attracting garden.
And of course we don't use harmful pesticides - - -