Beekeeping

On Saturday last I attended a workshop at the Organic Centre in Rossinver on beekeeping, given by the inspiring Sue Anthony. I fully intended to take a few photos of the bees there (safely housed behind glass!), some lush images of beeswax, perhaps a few pots of honey (yes we did tastings too!) and a dismantled beehive. However I was so engrossed in the subject for the entire day, that I completely forgot. These little creatures are just amazing, and the art of beekeeping is incredible. I had never appreciated just how interesting, complex, enjoyable and rewarding this activity is. Now, I would love to get my hands on a nucleus of bees ... and a beesuit, and a smoker, and a hive, and a hive tool, all the other things one needs to get started (preferably mostly second hand). I may also seek out a bee sting allergy test first, as I'd rather not discover a severe allergy while kitted out head to toe in a beesuit at the end of my field all on my own during my first ever contact with bees!

So the first step to get involved is to do a course like this one, or this, and/or contact your local beekeeping association. Oh, and contrary to popular belief, members need not be only male and over 65 (but of course they are most welcome too)!

Comments

[Amanda]

Wow how wonderful!

We have had two natural beehives in our garden in past years - one year we noticed lots of bees flying into an old tree stump and then discovered they had made a hive in it - it later collapsed. The following year we had bees in our bird box, which was a bit random and the blue-tits that normally nest there were less than impressed!! We could always tell which were "our" bees as well - because they had white bums!!

It was lovely having bees flying past us and they never bothered us, so I can imagine that keeping bees properly would be amazing!

[Podchef]

With commercial hives around the globe dying off--due to many wildly speculated reasons--I think it is a fantastic idea for everyone able to keep a few hives at home. It may be the only way we can have honey in the future. . . .

As soon as I have the acreage I am taking the plunge as well!

[Vallen Queen]

One of my favorite sights while out driving in the agricultural areas of California is seeing the beehives at the end of the rows of trees/bushes/vines/plants. It thrills me that farmers use this ages-old method with the added bonus of terrific and flavorful honey.

[Uschi]

My husband is a hobby-beekeeper for years now. Our experience is, that it truely is difficult to encourage people younger than 60 for this wonderful hobby. In fact, we need bees so much for pollination. But I really don't believe, a one-day-course is enough. So if you have the possibility, look out for someone you can always ask, day and night...
I think, we are a bit far away over here.
But I'M so happy, you are interested!!

[kaat at Mamastories]

Podchef wrote: "the only way we can have honey in the future"... Don't forget the flowers, and all the etc.

Bees are of the essence. And in my opinion, anyone who keeps a beehive should be paid a subsidy by the government. At least enough for the purchase of a nucleus, and all the tools. What do you think?

Thanks for this wonderful blog: each time I land here and see a new post, I drop everything else to read it. Your blog really speaks to "living my dream," and with all the information you are giving out about how one *actually* does it, I am sure that they will also contribute to its becoming a reality some day.

Katrien

[Rebecca (living sustainably and felting in rural Ireland)]

Yes I feel like suddenly the art of beekeeping is about to burst forth and become an incredibly popular hobby for people of all ages. Sue Anthony said there has been a massive surge of interest in the last couple of years here in Ireland. I gotta get my bees before the mad rush!

[Leonie]

My husband and I did a beekeeping course last year with our local beekeeping association. It was great fun and the people at the club were wonderful. Oh, and not that many of them were male and over 65, lol.

[Heather]

I love keeping my bees and it is fantastic but can be expensive to start with - its very much worth joining the Association for the courses because you will be able to get discounted equipment or like ours hire the really expensive stuff like honey extractors.

It is also becoming very much more popular than it was just 5 years ago - I would encourage people to give it a go

Heather

[carolyn]

Just been catching up with your smallhoding adventures, how busy you are. How did the goat workshop go, I bet it was fun? Sounds to me as if you will be offering a bee keeping workshop in a year or two! By the way your little Jack Russell looks very much like our Wish, hope itsn't as naughty.

['EF' x]

Thankyou for making this blog Rebecca! I am going to pour myself a milky coffee (unfortunately not with goats milk) and settle down for a good read :)

[Clare]

Not sure I could handle bees! Keep 'bizzy' lol