Beekeeping at FiveApple

In the second part of the interview, Troy talks about his late summer/fall management strategy as well as how he manages to overwinter nucs (a core part of his operation as it is to mine) in New Hampshire winters. He also gives me some great tips on how to make winter feeding of those nucs easier in my apiary. Troy also talks about the benefits of raising and selling overwintered nucs as a premium type of nuc due to colony cohesion, something I've noticed as well.  If you are enjoying Beekeeping at Five Apple, please share the podcast with your bee friends, bee clubs and your online networks! I appreciate it so much. :-) Leigh  ---- You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible and keep it advertising-free. In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Commenting on posts or messaging allows me to answer questions • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Today's episode is part one of a rambling bee chat I had with full-time beekeeper Troy Hall of New Hampshire back in the Spring. At Hall Apiaries he produces honey, queens and nucs in a creative, stationary operation of 700ish hives primarily managed without treatments. What a delightful and inspiring person and beekeeper! Hope you enjoy it. Show Note Links: Hall Apiaries Website https://nhbeekeeper.com I got to hear Troy's presentation in the 2024 Winter Conference of SBGMI. I love it that they offer their conferences online so that folks from everywhere can partake! If you join for $20 you can watch their past conferences. They also offer discounts on bee magazine subs and much more. Please check them out: Sustainable Beekeepers Guild of Michigan https://sbgmi.org/   If you are enjoying Beekeeping at Five Apple, please share the podcast with your bee friends, bee clubs and your online networks! I appreciate it so much. :-) Leigh  ---- You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible and keep it advertising-free. In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Commenting on posts or messaging allows me to answer questions • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Tips for keeping bees cool, Solstice Queens, Split Comparisons & Patron bonus bookmark (117)  Part 1: Ways to cool off hives, benefits of post-solstice queens .  Part 2: continues for patrons with bonus content on comparing the Runaway and the Cut-Down/Reverse Doolittle splits, more about post-solstice queens, detailed show notes with links to some helpful videos.    ---- Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Commenting on posts or messaging allows me to answer questions • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

A bee-radio-reader episode with Tina Sebestyen's how to overview of a Reverse Doolittle Split which, spoiler alert, is the same as a Cut-Down Split! But Tina explains it so much better than I have!    This episode released last week with detailed show notes for the Patreon supporters. Thank you patrons for keeping this podcast rolling!  ----   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Commenting on posts or messaging allow me to answer questions • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

This is a ‘radio reader’ episode of an online article “Requeening” by master beekeeper, queen breeder and author Larry Connor. More articles and his (excellent) books available at www.wicwas.com Link to this article: https://www.beeculture.com/requeening/ Clarification from last week (Thanks Chris!) This is the Bush bees I was referring to...link below. Tons of good info on his website and even though I’d read a lot of it there over the years, when I received his book “The Practical Beekeeper” as a Christmas gift I found myself reading it cover to cover and really enjoying it. http://www.bushfarms.com/bees.htm

Dealing with a hive that appears queenless / Figuring out if it is really queenless / Bush’s Panacea Cure / Queen cells from micro-breeders becoming more available. ( Mostly beginner but with intermediate bits too) About the podcast: Leigh started with bees in 2010 and keeps around a dozen hives at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, fully chemical free and without buying replacement bees since starting. When I mention Michael Bush in this and other episodes, this is the website which is a treasure trove of bee reading: http://www.bushfarms.com/bees.htm (Thanks Chris!)

Preventing swarming after splits. Listener question: What advice would you now give your first year beekeeper self.

Today I read selections of Sue Cobey’s classic article on Cloake board queen rearing. Skilled intermediate and up. Full article here (with illustration): https://www.delta-business.com/CalgaryBeekeepers/Bee-Club-Library/Queens%20and%20Nucs/Cloake%20Board%20Method%20of%20Queen%20Rearing%20and%20Banking%20Sue%20Cobey.pdf

Without moving anything smaller than a frame (no grafting, that is) you can make a few to several good queens off your favorite hive. References mentioned (some in reference to next episode): http://www.bushfarms.com/beessplits.htm#cutdown Generates a calendar for your queens (use with splits by using your split date as the graft date) https://thebeeyard.org/queen-rearing-calendar/ http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/queenraise.html http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/benhardenmethod.html https://www.theapiarist.org/vertical-splits-making-increase/ https://www.theapiarist.org/cloake-board-queen-rearing/ https://www.theapiarist.org/ben-harden-queen-rearing-intro/   About the podcast: Leigh Knott started with bees in 2010 and keeps around a dozen hives at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, fully chemical free and without buying replacement bees since starting.

Aspects to getting quality queens from your own yard. Part one of several. Intermediate level. Bryan Fisher’s YouTube on Summer Splits: https://youtu.be/qkVGLJWaO80 Michael Bush slides on basic queen rearing: http://www.bushfarms.com/QueenRearing.ppt

Random bee chat — Some feedback from you and questions I attempt to answer: flow hive, building equipment, split remorse, trickle feeding question and more.

B/I Many beekeepers are starting out or starting over with Nucs or Packages about now. Exciting time! Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years that may be helpful— trickle feeding, getting comb drawn, preserving comb, sizing the space, getting comfortable, encouragement to practice, read, watch, ponder, rinse and repeat. Beginner/Intermediate.

New beekeepers are attending bee schools this month and starting on their path of beekeeping. Welcome to this brand new podcast! Here are a few tips, a few challenges and some encouragement for you.  Originally recorded in Feb 2019 with new short intro added Jan 2020. //  Show notes for all newer episodes live at: patreon.com/fiveapple The updated "Bee-School Radio" episodes created for absolute beginners as well as beginner years 0-4 start in January 2020.   Leigh Knott started with bees in 2010 and keeps around a dozen hives at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, chemical-free and without buying/catching replacement bees since starting.

Detailed show note (usually a Patreon exclusive but wanted everyone to get the links below): There is hardly a split that is as easy and that yields the reliable results as the Runaway split we all have learned from Ang Roell and Sam Comfort. Remember it when you just need to get it done! This is their description of the process from their SARE grant description: "....Move the hive to a new position in the yard.  (It can be close to the original spot, i.e. on the same pallet, but with the entrance facing a new direction.) Set up a new, empty, similar box where it was.   Move back one NEWER comb of MOSTLY OPEN BROOD with adhering bees and one comb of food (nectar/pollen) with adhering bees.  If the queen is seen, leave her in the new position (or remove her for use elsewhere).  Replace the combs with foundation or empty bars.  Put the brood and food with bees in the new box (away from the entrance), place in foundation or empty bars, cover with a lid, and you’re done.  The field bees will join this queenless hive and help build a new brood nest.   Check the hive in 4 weeks for eggs, larvae, and the first capped brood from the new queen.  If no eggs are present, or if laying workers are laying multiple eggs per cell, the hive can be shaken out or combined with a different split at no loss.   NOTE: You do not need to find the queen, but if you see her during the splitting process, she can be caged and used elsewhere, so that both sides raise a queen and experience a break in brood rearing.  Or she can remain in the moved portion to be split again later or the hive expanded for honey production.  (Note that continuous brood rearing also can build large populations of Varroa mites.)  (Source: https://projects.sare.org/project-reports/fne20-964/)   Leigh again here. You may notice the things I do different are: 1. Putting drawn comb in the new box at the original location so that the field force might collect honey while they are waiting for their larval queen to grow up and go on her mating flight. For three weeks they will have no brood to care for and the could spend that time collecting nectar if you have a flow. On the other hand, their method could yield a lot of nice new comb. I haven't tried it with all foundation. 2. I shake in some additional nurse bees to the hive bodies at the original site....just because I'm like that. Ha! I also put more garlic than called for in most any cooking recipe. ;-) Ang and Sam's recipe places the brood frame WITH clinging bees but I know some beginners would be nervous about moving the queen so I gave an alternative nurse bee transfer method. Either way is good as long as there are nurse bees in there.    Finally, the link to their PDF handout is here and it has the conclusions of their study as well as the split instructions. The illustration is using the top bars and a Comfort hive but the process is the same no matter what kind of hive you use. https://projects.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/ComparingQueenRearingMethods_FactSheet.pdf   Thank you all so much for listening and for all you do for the bees.  Leigh   ----   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Commenting on posts or messaging allow me to answer questions • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatmen

(recorded the first few days of March 2024) There was a tech glitch (what happens if you don't do updates regular on the old computer OS...ha) and I couldn't edit this one like usual so it's both late and rough cut, with an even rougher addendum pasted in! But wanted to put it up for everyone. Next episode starts my usual obsession with splits!  Links mentioned in this episode… (new Patreon exclusive for supporters!)    Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

So as I mentioned last time, there was an episode on another podcast I eagerly played because I'm fascinated with the topic, only to be disappointed at the angle they took on some things, and in outright (friendly) disagreement on other points. Just a random ramble of thoughts and reflections for the patrons who keep this podcast going. Huge appreciation to you all! Leigh (episode continues for Patrons)     --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Here we are starting a new year and getting another chance to all be even better beekeepers. In this episode: a challenge to you all to stretch your skills and go deeper! Also, thinking about the disservice we do to new beekeepers focusing on starting with a package instead of a nuc... and other random tidbits including some teasers on upcoming episodes. So glad you are here! Leigh   --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments thus far. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Thinking aloud on the factors in my beekeeping practice that may have contributed to a successful 13th year of fully chemical-free beekeeping. But first, some of the bad beekeeping I've done lately...ha! :-) THANK YOU Patrons for your continued support. You make these podcasts possible...AND commercial free for everyone! Leigh   --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen-ish hives in a rural Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments thus far. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Wanted to get this out there tonight but will have to compile the links I mention tomorrow! By then, this free link should have the info mentioned in the episode:   https://www.patreon.com/posts/93855226   This podcast continues to be listener-powered and free of adverts and sponsorship messages. Thanks to the Patrons!!    :-) Leigh   --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen-ish hives in a rural Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments thus far. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Greetings from a new homeplace! Bee yard goings on as Autumn rolls into a colder season. It is such a delight to be back with you. Leigh   This podcast continues to be listener-powered and free of adverts and sponsorship messages. Thanks to the Patrons!!    --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen-ish hives in a rural Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments thus far. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Reviewing the content of a club talk I gave last month "Specialty Splits: Or, Why would you Ever just do a Walkaway?"   This podcast continues to be listener-powered so remains free of adverts and sponsorship messages. Thank you Patrons!!    --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen-ish hives in a rural Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments thus far. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

108: Bee Radio Reader: Bait Hives Reading the older article Bait Hives for Honey Bees by Dr. Tom Seeley et al. Read the article here.  Other links to bait hive info:  https://www.beeculture.com/get-bait-hives-ready/ https://www.bee-craft.com/beecraft-extra/articles/how-to-use-a-bait-hive https://www.honeybeesuite.com/tag/swarm-traps/ Enjoy! And happy swarm catching!  Note: The splits book will be delayed -- I'd hoped to have it ready for you by now! -- but I'll be sharing the pieces in progress with the Patrons here as well as sharing other tips and bonus content here every week.  This podcast continues to be listener-powered so remains free of adverts and sponsorship messages. Thank you Patrons!! kind regards, Leigh --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen-ish hives in a rural Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments thus far. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Ep 107: Coming out of Winter and HELLO AGAIN!  (Recorded mid-March 2023) It's so exciting to see the new beekeeping season on the horizon....even if I had horrid overall winter survival due to things I failed do last season. I'll talk about late winter colony issues and care, how NOT to have a winter like I had, how to get the most out of bee mentors and your bee guild, and other random bee chat to start up the podcast for the year.  The splits book will be delayed -- I'd hoped to have it ready for you by now! -- but I'll be sharing the pieces in progress with the Patrons here as well as sharing other tips and bonus content here every week.  This podcast continues to be listener-powered so remains free of adverts and sponsorship messages. Thank you Patrons!!    --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen-ish hives in a rural Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments thus far. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

In this episode: Announcement re pausing the podcast till around Valentine's Day 2023....so I can write you a handbook on splits! :-)   Patreon billing for the monthly pledges of supporters will be paused from now until February 2023 ...but I'm still available for messages from Patrons during the winter for any burning questions. Also feel free to write me about YOUR favorite kind of split and why!   **Correction from what I said in the episode: new memberships are paused till then too due to the Patreon system.   Patrons who have shared a total of $24 or more of support to the podcast will get a copy of the split handbook FREE as a thank you for that support!   Other listeners will have the chance to purchase a copy when it is available too.   The article I'm reading from about Optera: https://researchmagazine.uncg.edu/spring-2023/part-of-the-hive/bee-business/ Optera website: https://opterabees.com/

Our local black jar honey contest has awarded the winners! Sadly, I'm not among them...but some great folks are. A foray into Fall weirdness at the home apiary with some robbing and (whut?!) bees building outside a tree. And a teaser about the potentially amazing product-to-come, Optera. Hope you enjoy! Leigh   --   Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen-ish hives in a rural Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments thus far. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Hello wonderful Patrons and all listeners! FINALLY a new episode - catching up a bit on the farm bees, pre-winter prep progress and random bits. THANK YOU ALL for your support and patience with me. Leigh   ps. I mentioned a couple of videos I've enjoyed lately. Bee videos are my favorite way to make kitchen clean up more enjoyable! :-) I was letting bee videos play in the background and ended up learning a lot listening to some I might not have chosen to watch otherwise... I have links, descriptions and comments on this (public) Patreon post. Hope you enjoy!  https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-104-are-73001852    -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen-ish hives in a rural Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments thus far. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Bee Radio Reader: Combining Hives Early for Fall (103) Reading from "Practical Mergers: Do It Soon" by Zachary Lamas, August 2020, by permission of Bee Culture Magazine.  -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a dozen-ish hives in a rural Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Episode 102: Summertime and the living is....hot. Tips on cooling off hives in summer; REVIEW of test-frame technique to detect queenlessness vs other reasons. WINNER of the Bee Culture magazine sub from episode 100!!! Thank you all so much for listening! I invite everyone to join on Patreon below for more content --or if you just want to support the show. If that's not your thing -- please consider leaving a five-star review on Apple podcasts if you enjoy this podcast. I appreciate you all so much. Leigh     -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high elevation Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

In this episode: LOVING the runaway (or flyback) split after all! / comparisons of other types of splits / tips for newspaper combines / tips for fixing a laying worker colony.  I go on and on since I have lots of built up stuff to tell you! Please forgive me on that (and ignore the JET going overhead during the middle ). So glad to be back in the bees and back chatting with you! Leigh     -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high elevation Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Episode 100! Double Screen Board Love   Links mentioned in the episode: This is the link (free and open to everyone) if you are interested in the book and Bee Culture subscription mentioned in celebration of this 100th episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-100-love-65588303   Bob Binnie on splitting with a double screen board. Please note he is using queen cells so the compartment without flying bees for a while after the split does NOT have to feed and raise the queen cells. I mention this important detail in the pod episode too... https://youtu.be/Z62UwOLfdMo   The Apiarist blog post on making vertical splits using a 'split board' that I mentioned: https://www.theapiarist.org/vertical-splits-making-increase/ I'll be doing a video explainer and a printable recipe for patrons on vertical splits to accompany the next episode.     -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high elevation Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Thinking about Splits (99) - Hi Patrons! Hit me up with your questions about splits in the comments of the show post at Patreon and I'd be happy to try to help ! https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple     -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high elevation Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Hi everyone! This is a compilation episode of previous patreon-only episodes 66 and 85-- both on the Nucleus Split method which I use a lot. It's simple, pretty safe* even if the weather is still cool. Also gives a brood break to the great majority of the bees which helps lessen mite reproduction.   (*as long as you make sure the queen retirement nuc has plenty of bees to cover the frames on cold nights AND as long as you GO BACK to the queenless portion ON TIME to either pull queen cell frames and staff to mating nucs/queen castes...OR to cull the queen cells down to ONE. All this is explained in this audio compilation!)   Contents: Introduction / fundraiser for World Central Kitchen wck.org who is currently supporting the citizens of Ukraine...and a way to get yourself some Five Apple Farm honey as a bonus when you donate / Local support to Common Ground of Eastern North Carolina on behalf of the listeners / SEGMENT 1: A reading from The Apiarist, a favorite blog out of Scotland with his how-to on making nucleus splits (66) / SEGMENT 2: My discussion of making nucleus splits (85) and a tale of a split gone wild. Enjoy! For the patrons I'll be posting a downloadable 'recipe' for the basic nucleus split as well as some variations I use to make more queens with it! kind regards, Leigh   -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high elevation Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Bonus episode (97) for Patrons: Thoughts on the Interview A rambling recount of tidbits I took away from the Ang Roell interview and the study results and how it will affect splits in my own beekeeping....but also drawing your attention to bits of info that were small in mention but HUGE in importance. Hope you enjoy. THANK YOU PATRONS!! Leigh   Please check out the PDF " Walk Away Split Recipe & Fact Sheet" available free at https://www.theykeepbees.com/beekeeping-classes for context. Hope you enjoy! Leigh   -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high elevation Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Ang Roell Interview Part 2 (96) In this portion with dig deeper into the factors affecting queen quality in the study as well as wander on some enjoyable tangents! Please check out the PDF " Walk Away Split Recipe & Fact Sheet" available free at www.theykeepbees.com for context. Hope you enjoy! Leigh   -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high elevation Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

I've been watching the research, results and resources emerging from the work of Ang Roell, Sam Comfort and team for a few years now! Their latest data and resources have gone above and beyond! AND have directly application to backyard beekeepers who want to raise their own queens and get a QUALITY result.  To get the free resources mentioned in the episode go here and look for the downloads toward the bottom of the page AND sign up for the Queen School series (free) to see the online presentations and if you want to join them in person in the summer:  https://www.theykeepbees.com/beekeeping-classes    -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high elevation Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Welcome to Bee Season 2022! (episode 94) Despite the cold and snow...the bee season is starting up in those hives! Listen in for goings on here at the farm (love that sandwich box trick), propolis curtains (!), some tips on what to watch out for AND prepare for next. The annual "Don't Give Up" talk...and a challenge to choose the next new skill to up your beekeeping game in 2022!   -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high elevation Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Check your hives for winter weight! Then....please enjoy this reflection on Irish beekeeper Tim Rowe's 2016 book "The Rose Hive Method." Patrons, I'll be passing the book along to one of you! See the post and let me know why you are interested in reading! (details in the episode). Post is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/59993768 -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $1 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high elevation Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Nucs over double-screen boards, more winter patty love, boxes with wood shavings vs foam board top insulation....the winter testing ground here we come. An extra for patrons--Links to equipment and videos mentioned in this episode:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/58906090   Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $1 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high elevation Appalachian forest climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Listened to an episode of Honey Bee Obscura (their episode 41) on fall feeding and wanted to share observations it brought to mind and other ideas about feeding options with you all. It's that time of year!   This episode of BFAF released on 06 OCT to Patrons and to the public on 10 OCT. Patrons, remember you have your own audio RSS feed for all the podcasts, plus your early releases and bonus episodes. If you log into Patreon and navigate to your membership tab, your private RSS feed is show there and can be copy/pasted into your favorite podcast app!   Show notes and links mentioned in this episode are available to everyone here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/57083467     -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    If you can support the show with $1 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She cares for around a 'beekeeper's dozen' of hives in a rural, high Appalachian climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Doing the first look-back of the 2021 season at the things that have gone well so far!   Thank you Patrons and Listeners! I appreciate each and every one of you. kind regards, Leigh   (recorded 21SEP21 - released to Patrons on 26SEP21)   -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month! • Access to Patreon • blog posts including "Tip of the Week" • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    You can support this podcast you are able to share $1 or up a month, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-ish stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Thank you Bee Culture magazine and Ross Conrad for this article. Also included in the episode, chat about goings on here at the farm.    Get your Bee Culture subscription and have access to years of archives in addition to the magazine! https://www.beeculture.com/magazine/   Recorded on 17AUG21 kind regards to each of you and THANK YOU PATRONS for making this podcast possible!   -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month! • Access to Patreon • blog posts including "Tip of the Week" • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    You can support this podcast you are able to share $1 or up a month, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-ish stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Bee Radio Reader: Winter Bees! (88) Thank you to Meghan Milbrath and American Bee Journal for this article from January 2020: https://americanbeejournal.com/the-greatest-generation-winter-bees/ Subscribe to American Bee Journal here: https://www.dadant.com/catalog/books-subscriptions/american-bee-journal kind regards to each of you and THANK YOU PATRONS for making this podcast possible!   -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month! • Access to Patreon • blog posts including "Tip of the Week" • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    You can support this podcast you are able to share $1 or up a month, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-ish stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Bears and Bees don't mix... (87) Let me tell you a tale of woe (that could have been SO much worse) but hopefully you will learn from my mistakes!  Thank you to each and every Patron and Listener!! kind regards, Leigh -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month! • Access to Patreon • blog posts including "Tip of the Week" • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    You can support this podcast you are able to share $1 or up a month, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-ish stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

I'm in love with the Layens hive... (86) Here's the long rambling story of how I accidentally fell in love with a Layens hive and got one going in my yard as an experiment....and plan to gradually transition to a similar hive style in the future (once I build it compatible with Lang frame width).  Photos and links mentioned are found here and available to all:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/51674430   -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-ish stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

[BOOKMARK...plus a tip on bees vs calendars] In the full episode: Back in Episode 66 (another Patron-exclusive podcast) we covered how to make a "Nucleus Split" according to the recipe over at The Apiarist blog. The Nucleus Split has been my split of choice this particular Spring. Most times it goes swimmingly! Other times, split gets real. ;-) Either way, it gives excellent results in a split that can be used to make one or multiple new colonies -- all without risking your mother colony. Thank you to every Patron who keeps this podcast going! kind regards, Leigh   -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month! • Access to Patreon • blog posts including "Tip of the Week" • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!    You can support this podcast you are able to share $1 or up a month, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-ish stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Hive Record Keeping Ramble (84) Just how many ways can a person keep hive notes? As many ways as there are people keeping bees. And for some of us there may be a slightly different way every year... Hope you enjoy. How are you keeping your hive records? kind regards, Leigh   -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month! • Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week" • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can support this podcase If you are able to share $1 or up a month, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen hives. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Here we go! Things are starting up for real in the mountains of North Carolina. This episode is a new intro and then a discussion of inspections I shared last year with the Patreon listeners. Happy Spring! Leigh -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month! • Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week" • Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees • Input on the podcast topics • Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can support this podcase If you are able to share $1 or up a month, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-ish stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Bee Season 2021 Begins!!  (82)   Mentioned in this episode:  The Lives of Bees by Tom Seeley https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42585085-the-lives-of-bees -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can support this podcase If you are able to share $1 or up a month, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-ish stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Update from Leigh.... (Ep 81, but not really)   -- -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-ish stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

-- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-ish stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Some notes on the bees this month...and a bookmark for the full episode for Patrons which is a book review and thoughts about Michael Bush's new book...Beekeeping Naturally: A Simple Recipe. -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-ish stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Random tidbits about shed bees, moving nucs, see-through inner covers, hive beetles and more. I'm so thankful for each of you listeners! kind regards, Leigh Links I mentioned in this epidode are here for everyone:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/44482859 -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus (plus) stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Show notes are available to everyone at:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/43960833 -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus (plus) stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Understanding late summer dearth issues; Short reading from Sue Hubbell's "A Book of Bees." (Early release for Patrons on Tuesday, Oct 20, 2020. Thank you Patrons for keeping this show going!)  -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus (plus) stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Episode 75: In Memory, Updates, Part II Winter prep

This is the bookmark to let Patrons know their bonus episode has been posted at https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple and is available on their exclusive RSS feed. Also this bookmark contains a HANDY TIP on feeding for everyone. The full podcast is a discussion on notes I took from a talk by an Irish beekeeper with vast experience -- he shared so many tips I was working hard to write them down! kind regards to you all, Leigh

Winter Prep 1: Start with Stores -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus (plus) stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Show notes are here https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-72-late-40966216  along with the link to the youtube channel I mentioned enjoying. Thanks for listening! Leigh -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus (plus) stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Ang Roell is a fascinating, young, radical, inspiring beekeeper who was great fun to interview!  -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Just thinking out loud a bit about late summer stuff in the bee yard...Episode 70: Late Summer   -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Flying queens, marking queens well and badly, finally a flow, and general bee yard ramblings.    -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Honey Stuff Part II, Bears, Goings On (68) Tips on an extracting set up and I ramble on from there....  :-)  -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Getting Honey Part 1 (67) -- Mostly beginner tips, idea and ramblings about getting honey off your hives. Part 2 will have a link collection. Thanks so much for being a listener! :-) Leigh -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

A bookmark to let the patrons know a bonus podcast, a reading of The Nucleus Method (for swarm prevention and/or making splits) is up for listening at Patreon.com/fiveapple I'll be back with regular episode 67 very shortly....on honey! Thanks so much for being a listener! Leigh -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! The 'Happy Listener' tier gets you started for just $1 a month.  If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Episode 65: Apiary update & After a hive swarms  Show notes and links mentioned are (free) at https://www.patreon.com/posts/37568315 -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! You can now join for as little as $1 a month, as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Just an audio bookmark to let Patrons know a bonus podcast on Inspections is up for listening at Patreon.com/fiveapple I'll be back with regular episodes as soon as possible after my microphone bit the dust. A new one is on the way! Next regular episode is Q&A so if you have questions you would like me to attempt then please send a message on Patreon, Facebook or by email! more soon! Leigh -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! The Friend of the Podcast tier has been reduced to $3 as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Link to article and images in the public show notes at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/36531617 -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!• Access to Patreon blog posts including "Tip of the Week"• Special Q&A posts to ask me questions about YOUR bees• Input on the podcast topics• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! The Friend of the Podcast tier has been reduced to $3 as times are tough for so many. If you are able and would like to support this podcast, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

The Doolittle Box using a queen excluder; tips for adding a caged mated queen; beekeeper error; Q re the name 'Cut Down'; using wallpaper steamer to harvest wax and clean boxes and wooden frames.  On Splits, Part Three; Some Q & A (62) -- Please become a "Friend of Five Apple" on Patreon today and join the folks who make the podcasts possible with a pledge of $4 or more. In addition to huge gratitude, you get: •  Access to exclusive weekly blog posts including "Tip of the Week"  •  Special Q&A posts to ask questions about YOUR bees •  BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!  •  Input on podcast topics •  Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!   Sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

The ultimate split imo for big overwintered hives: The Cut Down! Requires intermediate skills. To print the diagram go to: https://www.patreon.com/posts/35851139 (free to everyone though I'd welcome you to join as a Friend of Five Apple if you are able!)      -- Please become a "Friend of Five Apple" on Patreon today and join the folks who make the podcasts possible with a pledge of $4 or more. In addition to huge gratitude, you get: •  Access to exclusive weekly blog posts including "Tip of the Week"  •  Special Q&A posts to ask questions about YOUR bees •  BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!  •  Input on podcast topics •  Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!   Sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Some links on splits:  UoG Honey Bee Research Centre (Canada): Nice overview of some splits using mated queens. (But wear your veil! haha!)  https://youtu.be/FwGWN0AyoFg  Bee Culture Article: https://www.beeculture.com/making-splits/ The voluminous geek reference of Dave Cushman's (UK) site. I love it.  See left column for many splits and related topics: http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/increase.html   -- Please become a "Friend of Five Apple" on Patreon today and join the folks who make the podcasts possible with a pledge of $4 or more. In addition to huge gratitude, you get: •  Access to exclusive weekly blog posts including "Tip of the Week"  •  Special Q&A posts to ask questions about YOUR bees •  BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!  •  Input on podcast topics •  Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!   Sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Show notes including links to the videos mentioned today are available to everyone here:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/35004660 -- Please become a "Friend of Five Apple" on Patreon today and join the folks who make the podcasts possible with a pledge of $4 or more. In addition to huge gratitude, you get: •  Access to exclusive weekly blog posts including "Tip of the Week"  •  Special Q&A posts to ask questions about YOUR bees •  BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!  •  Input on podcast topics •  Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!   Sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Late winter / very early spring stuff in the bee yard at Five Apple: avoiding starvation, reversing boxes....  -- Please become a "Friend of Five Apple" on Patreon today and join the folks who make the podcasts possible with a pledge of $4 or more. In addition to huge gratitude, you get: •  Access to exclusive weekly blog posts including "Tip of the Week"  •  Special Q&A posts to ask questions about YOUR bees •  BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!  •  Input on podcast topics •  Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!   Sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

In this interview with queen breeder Cory Stevens we talk virgin queens, the challenges of raising queens as a business, and much more. Patrons, I hope you enjoy this early release which will go public on February 22nd.  Content is most suited to intermediate beekeepers who are comfortable making splits and introducing mated queens to a split. Once that feels comfortable -- consider adding great genetics to your yard via virgin queens from breeders like Cory. While they are a bit more challenging to introduce....they are cheaper to try out (so get several!) and since they mate with you local drones you can combine the benefits of selected genetics with your local bees.  Cory's on facebook as Stevens Bee Company and his website is:  https://www.stevensbeeco.com/ This episode was released a week early over at Patreon -- Please become a "Friend of Five Apple" on Patreon today and join the folks who make the podcasts possible with a pledge of $4 or more. In addition to huge gratitude, you get: •  Access to exclusive weekly blog posts including "Tip of the Week"  •  Special Q&A posts to ask questions about YOUR bees •  BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!  •  Input on podcast topics •  Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!   Sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen-plus stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Reading of some sections of study material for the NC Journeyman level test. (Not a typical episode if you are a brand new listener! )

Bees are always working toward *something* and that something depends on where they are in the life cycle of the colony in relation to the cycle of the season. Understanding those layers will make beekeeping made a ton more sense! Also: Friends of Five Apple, check the Patreon page for new blog post on keeping apiary records and bonus podcast about the recent bee-shed drama and how the hives at Five Apple are doing this winter.  -- If you are getting value from the podcast please become a "Friend of Five Apple" on Patreon today!  You make the podcasts possible with a pledge of $4 or more. In addition to huge gratitude, you get: •  Access to exclusive weekly blog posts including "Tip of the Week"  •  Special Q&A posts to ask questions about YOUR bees •  BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!  •  Input on podcast topics •  Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!   Please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen or so stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Going over listener questions and messages. The honey Winner! Plans for upcoming episodes. New beekeeper hazing...(just kidding).    -- If you are getting value from the podcast please become a "Friend of Five Apple" on Patreon today!  You make the podcasts possible with a pledge of $4 or more. In addition to huge gratitude, you get: •  Access to exclusive weekly blog posts including "Tip of the Week"  •  Special Q&A posts to ask questions about YOUR bees • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!  •  Input on podcast topics •  Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!   Please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen or so stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

You have probably met Tina Sebestyen in the pages of Bee Culture or American Bee Journal where she is a most excellent writer as well as an experienced beekeeper in the high desert region of Colorado. Show notes and link to her website are at https://www.patreon.com/posts/33439459   -- If you are getting value from the podcast please become a "Friend of Five Apple" on Patreon today!  You make the podcasts possible with a pledge of $4 or more. In addition to huge gratitude, you get: •  Access to exclusive weekly blog posts including "Tip of the Week"  •  Special Q&A posts to ask questions about YOUR bees • BONUS podcast or early access episode every month!  •  Input on podcast topics •  Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!   Please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple -- About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen or so stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

Show notes appear shortly after the episode over at https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple where you can also become a supporter of the podcast should you feel inclined! All the best to all of you, Leigh

Talking about the whole hive as 'the animal.' https://www.patreon.com/posts/33062208 Bee-School Radio 2020 is collection of special episodes of the podcast dedicated to brand new beekeepers.  About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina with around a dozen or so stands. Hives are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor and disease resistance. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and a few nucs yearly.   ------ If you are getting value from the podcast please become a "Friend of Five Apple" on Patreon today! Your $4 a month make more podcasts possible. In addition to huge gratitude, you get: •  Access to exclusive blog posts including "Tip of the Week" •  Exclusive Q&A post every week where you can ask me questions •  BONUS podcast every month!  •  Occasional early access to regular episodes •  Input on the podcast topics •  Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you! Please sign up today here: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

Show notes with all episode links will be posted at https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

Part 1: Do you have what it takes to be a good beekeeper? This episode includes an easy test to give you the answer.  Bee-School Radio 2020 is collection of special episodes of the podcast dedicated to brand new beekeepers.  About Beekeeping at Five Apple Farm: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The apiary is managed for bee health with active selection for vigor and disease resistance since 2010. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider supporting the show as a patron:  https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

The last episode of 2019! Some thanks, some encouragement. Show notes are posted here and include links to sources I mentioned as well as news about the podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-48-out-32811980 I'll be doing a 'Bee-School Radio' series for beginner beekeepers starting in January on the podcast to supplement the information at your local bee schools. Please spread the word with your clubs and social media places.

Bryan Fisher is a fourth-generation beekeeper and North Carolina Master Beekeeper who runs well over a hundred hives in addition to his day job! He is also someone I greatly respect and admire. Show notes, including links to some of Bryan's presentations on YouTube can be found at https://www.patreon.com/posts/32518781 PS. I'll be doing a 'Bee School Radio' series for beginner beekeepers starting in January for podcast listeners. More on that soon.

Show notes are at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/32328651 About the podcast: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The apiary is managed for bee health with active selection for vigor and disease resistance since 2010. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider supporting the show as a patron:  https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

Episode 45 show notes at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/32095933 --About the podcast: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The apiary is managed for bee health and vigor—free of chemical-treatments and without buying/catching replacement bees since 2010. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider supporting the show as a patron:  https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

It’s a short and silly one but I’m thinking of you all as Thanksgiving approaches. Please visit the Five Apple Farm: Bees, Honey & More page on Facebook and tell me your gratitudes about being a beekeeper! I’ll share those next weekend.

The little nucs are cozy in the bee barn. Now we’ll see how it goes. Show notes with pics will appear in the next few days over at https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple/posts -- About the podcast: Leigh keeps bees at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The apiary is managed for bee health and vigor—free of chemical-treatments and without buying/catching replacement bees since 2010. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider supporting the show as a patron:  https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

Show notes with links mentioned in episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/31450833 -- About the podcast: Leigh Knott keeps around a dozen-ish hives at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The apiary is managed for bee health and vigor —free of chemical-treatments and without buying/catching replacement bees since 2010. If you enjoy the podcast I would welcome your support of the show at:  https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

Show notes are at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/31450407 -- About the podcast: Leigh Knott keeps around a dozen-ish hives at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The apiary is managed for bee health and vigor —free of chemical-treatments and without buying/catching replacement bees since 2010. If you enjoy the podcast I would welcome your support of the show at Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

Show notes, posts & links at https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple Free sugar block recipe mentioned is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/feeding-bees-in-31022420 Quilt gallery post mentioned (a weekly bonus-post for patrons of the show) is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/31101477 About the podcast: Leigh Knott keeps around a dozen-ish hives at 3000' in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The apiary is managed for bee health and vigor —free of chemical-treatments and without buying/catching replacement bees since 2010.

None of this would be possible without the generous donations from THE RECORDER CREW! i didn’t get the chance to add an intro and wrap up but will get better at all this. :-) Mark started with bees in 2010 and has been fully chemical free since 2013. He maintains upwards of 30-50 hives outside of Charlotte NC in Locust. Find him on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/flatwoodsbeefarm/https://www.facebook.com/flatwoodsbeefarm Thank you all for telling your beekeeping friends about the podcast and leaving reviews on Apple Podcasts! And to the Patreon supporters: Huge gratitude! Please consider becoming part of the Farm Crew at:  https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

Show notes are available to everyone and include link to the online article I read from -- you can find it here:  www.patreon.com/fiveapple

Show notes will be posted and available to everyone at: www.patreon.com/fiveapple

Book Review Part 2 - Selection read from Chapter 3 "Tolerant Stock." Continuation of last episode's discussion of the excellent book "Keeping Bees Alive: Sustainable Beekeeping Essentials" by Lawrence John Connor (Wicwas Press, 2019) And some GREAT news! The recorder is a go thanks to incredible support from: Deborah in Georgia, Michael in South Carolina, Jeff in North Carolina, Michelle in North Carolina, William in Minnesota, Herbert in Mississippi, and Joan C. THANK YOU ALL for the generous funding of a recorder with which I can do interviews to share on this podcast!  with huge gratitude,  Leigh questions or ideas for the next episode? Email me at blueridge714 [at] gmail [dot] com or send a message from the Five Apple Farm: Bees, Honey & More page on Facebook.

Discussion of this interesting book by Wicwas Press.  (Part 1 of 2)  THANK YOU to contributors to helped get the new interview recorders!!! Other ways to help: Tell a beekeeping friend or beekeepers organization about the podcast.  Write a review of why you like the show and give it a great rating on Apple podcasts or wherever you listen.  Thanks to every one of you for listening! Leigh blueridge714 [at] gmail [dot] com

Some random chat about what I’m reading and studying for a future episode; stress free alcohol wash hack from Jeff; bee barn teaser; missing Kevin; the usual wanderings.

Taking the simple feeding of sugar syrup for hives you find too light to make it....and complicating it with things to tweak? Guilty. Part 1.

About that NC Journeyman test. Winter prep: building population vs adding weight.

Random items from the conference, geeking out on gut microbes...