You are now keeping bees. You have just installed your first package of honey bees in your hive. Yes, you are now a beekeeper! But you are still feeling anxious. You are a bit unsure if this experiment will really work. You are not sure if you have the necessary beekeeping supplies. And you are not even sure what you’ll need to know to become a “real” beekeeper. Most ‘newbees’ (ha!) feel the same tension. Managing honeybees requires a new skill set. That’s why I am going to share the tips that I wish I had known 20 years ago, when I first started keeping bees. I call these my Top 10 Tips and Tricks for Keeping Bees and Becoming a Better Beekeeper. Keeping Bees Tip #1: Join a Beekeeping Club My first tip on keeping bees is basically, “Don’t do it alone.” Join a local beekeeping club or group. Take advantage of the chance to listen to monthly national speakers and watch live, in-person hive demonstrations. The chance to connect with other more experienced beekeepers is … [Read more...] about Top 10 Tips for Keeping Bees
Decorate with Simple, Sustainable Holiday Containers
What do you do with containers on your front porch or deck once you have yanked out those sorry-looking, frost-killed petunias? Now is the time to welcome the holiday season by decorating with holiday containers filled with seasonal arrangements of greenery and other natural material from your yard and landscape. It’s easy to forage for material from your property on or around your home for your holiday containers. With pruners in hand, I venture into roadside edges and woods and gather lichen-covered branches, fall-colored foliage, pine cones, and seed heads. All of these make amazing accents for my arrangements. Be sure to get permission from the landowner if you are roaming around to avoid anyone chasing you off their property! I always ask neighbors permission to browse on their property—and I promise them a beautiful holiday arrangement in return. Holiday Decor from Your Own Yard As a landscape designer, my first consideration in planting any tree or shrub … [Read more...] about Decorate with Simple, Sustainable Holiday Containers
Follow the Buzz: How to Start Beekeeping
It’s OK to admit it. You are wondering how to start beekeeping. You have been thinking about beekeeping for a long time. You’ve seen other people keeping bees. You've watched other beginners get into the beekeeping hobby. But you continue to put off beekeeping for another time when you are less stressed and busy. You are teetering on the edge of the beekeeping, and you love reading about the hobby of beekeeping. You read every “How to Start Beekeeping” story you can find. Clearly, you just need a gentle push to get you going and commit. If this sounds like you, it’s time for you to follow your inner buzz. It’s time to start keeping bees and become a actual beekeeper. Now is the perfect time to get your equipment and order your bees. How to Start Beekeeping Even beginners know that you can’t be a beekeeper unless you have bees. That means placing an order for the buzzing little bees that will be the beating heart of your beehive. Suppliers of bees are very … [Read more...] about Follow the Buzz: How to Start Beekeeping
