Beekeeping
Bees Thrive as Interesting Weather Patterns Hits the Homestead
We've had unusual weather this year, but it seems to be benefitting both the trees and our honeybees. We expect a record honey harvest.
From Four Beehives to Ten in a Month
The bees are overflowing! Time to create some more splits to prevent swarming. I also add a nuc to bolster my bee's genetics.
Beekeeping Grows more Difficult in 2025
Commercial beekeepers have lost between 60 and 80 percent of their beehives in the past nine months, endangering the food supply.
It was a Tough Winter for our Honey Bees
The weeks of bitter cold weather in January took their toll on Pete's bees, but enough hives made it through he can rebuild his apiary.
Big Honey Harvest Plus Homestead and Security Update
As summer draws to an end, we harvest our honey crop and some of the last vegetables from the garden. Before winter sets in is also a good time to check that all systems are functioning.
The Spring Honey Harvest is Complete
We finished extracting, filtering and bottling honey. Now we need to add labels and deliver it to our local retailers and customers.
Busy Bees and the Honey Harvest
Summer is busy on the homestead. We have to take advantage of the warm weather to grow and harvest what food we can in a limited time.
No Lawyers, Just Guns and Honey
What's Pete been doing? Shooting guns, cleaning guns, and keeping bees. Both shooting and beekeeping are good hobbies for preppers to adopt.
Big Bee News as the Harvest Nears
Pete is trying not to count his eggs before they hatch, but all indications point to a large spring honey harvest. And that's just part of the news.
Checking in with My Bees and the New Queen
Our apiary grows and we may gain a second bee yard to allow for further expansion. I'm running low on equipment, too.
Growing my Apiary the Natural Way
You can buy bees, or you can help your hives reproduce, expanding your bee yard or apiary at no cost. it just takes time and patience.
The Honey Harvest is In
The honey harvest is behind us. It was fun but sticky work and yielded 200 pounds of two different colors of honey.
Making a Bee Resupply Run Across the State
It's getting close to honey harvest time, and time to help our bee colonies get prepared for the long, cold winter.
Lots of Bees, Not Much Honey
I have plenty of bees, but little honey. We are all waiting for something to bloom besides wildflowers and clover so the honey flow can start.
A Tough Year so far for Bees and Honey
The honey season is off to a slow start thanks to a cool and wet spring, but things are beginning to look up on the homestead.
Working on my Farmer Tan and Splitting Bees
A long day spent int he bee yard getting stung and splitting hives, but we're nor done yet as we expand to seven hives.
Testing for Mites to Raise Healthy Fat Winter Bees
The bees look strong heading into the fall, but our mite check turned up some Varroa mites in one of our larger hives.
The Exciting Part of Bee Season Comes to an End
Bee season has peaked and the brood nests will get smaller and smaller. What you do now will determine if your bees make it through winter.
A Busy Day in the Bee Yard
Monday's beehive inspection revealed some surprises, both good and bad. We've got supers on two hives and are making honey for our spring harvest.
We Find Time to Prep as Food Shortage Looms
Walmart continues to be well stocked and while prices are up, there are still good buys to be found for preppers
I Double the Size of my Bee Yard Overnight
I started the year with two beehives that successfully overwintered. After splitting the hives, I now have five with a six on the way.
It is Queen Rearing Time in the Bee Yard
Finding and marking recently mated queens is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack, but we managed.
How to Check for Spring Swarms Before Your Bees Abscond
If a beehive swarms, the bees may be gone for good. It's a good idea to inspect your hives and take steps when you see signs of a swarm.
Checking on my Bees; My Beekeeping Reputation Depends on their Survival
With my beekeeping reputation on the line, I was hoping for at least two of my three hives to make it through the winter.
Rain, More Rain, Snow, and Gassing my Bees
We got warm weather, but there was no sun, just rain and more rain. As soon as it clears up and warms up, we're going to kill some varroa mites.
Goldenrod and Asters Help our Bees Prep for Winter
You could consider bees preppers. They stock up nectar (carbs) and pollen (protein) to help carry them through the long. cold winter.
Taking Advantage of the Cooler Weather on the Homestead
We are working to make fall plantings, clean up the homestead, stock up, and generally make sure we are ready for winter.
