We Become Beekeepers

Four years ago we decided to get a couple of bee hives and have some honeybees. I had met a couple of people around the area that had them and were keeping them in their backyards, so I knew we could have them too. We had been talking about getting honey bees because we wanted the pollinators for our fruit trees and garden and also for the honey!

Harvesting the Honey

 We joined a local beekeeping association were we took a year-long class teaching us all things about bees. Before I knew it we had two hives and had bought a couple of bee nucs. A bee nuc is a small nucleus of bees which includes the queen and worker bees that goes into the hive.

It takes a year for the hive to become established and after that we gathered honey in the early spring. This allows the bees to restock their hives with enough honey to get through the upcoming winter. Ron usually feeds them sugar water in the early spring and late summer to help them make enough honey to keep them alive.

Honey

The great thing about the bees is that there are several different products that you can get from them. Just the honey itself so much can be done with it.

Spiced honey: There are so many different spices to add to honey. We have added ginger and really enjoy that flavor. My husband’s favorite treat is honey and peanut butter on toast.

Honey medicine: Adding cinnamon to honey and then placing a stick to make a lollipop or forming balls is a great add to your medicine cabinet for a cough for colds or allergies.

Honey candy: These are a fun way to eat the honey. Seal the bottom of a straw and fill feel them with honey and add some flavored extracts.

Wax

Candles: Candles are a great way to use the wax that come from the honey harvest. Different essential oils can be added to the wax for the candle.

Lip balms & make up: I haven’t done this yet but I really want to make some lip balm with our wax. I’m not really into much make-up but I know that you can use wax in different face products.

Kitchen Help: Making beeswax wraps acts like cling wrap that can be used over and over again.

As we become more experienced beekeepers we will be able to do more things with our bee by-products such as pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom.

We really do enjoy the bees on the property. They are easy to maintain and help with the pollination in our gardens. Thinking of all they do I think the old saying of “busy as a bee” makes total sense.

Until next time,
Shawn