Brookfield Farm Beekeeper Karen Bean
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Year End Inventory – A “Joy” of Beekeeping
The year draws to a close: snow, winter walks, cross-country skiing, good food, good friends, inventory and bookkeeping. Well, it was a good list until the end. But that is what December is for me: a time to inventory all … Continue reading
Posted in Bee Business
Tagged bookkeeping, Brookfield Farm, end, inventory, Maple Falls, Washington, year
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A View To A Different Style of Beekeeping
Recently I attended a great presentation on the basics of “Being a Pollinating Beekeeper”, by George Hansen (Foothills Honey Company, Colton, Oregon). The Washington State Beekeepers Association, District 1, put this together. I am not and never will be a … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping
Tagged beekeeper, Brookfield Farm, George Hansen, Maple Falls, pollinating, speaker, Washington
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Naturally Treated Hives at Brookfield Farm Bees And Honey, Part 2
Last blog post was about the natural treatments and methods I use with my bees. But treatments and methods pale in comparison to the need of good breeding stock (this holds true of any livestock operation). To make a hive … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping, Queen Rearing : Honeybees
Tagged Bean, beekeeper, Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm, how to, Karen, Maple Falls, methods, overview, queen, rearing, tools, Washington
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Naturally Treated Hives at Brookfield Farm Bees And Honey, Part 1
The other night I was invited to give a talk on how I maintain my Naturally Treated, Antibiotic-Free hives at the Mt. Baker Beekeepers Association. Seems like a good moment to write that up for a few reasons. 1) Customers … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping
Tagged Brookfield Farm, hives, how, Maple Falls, methods, Naturally, Treated, Washington
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Our First Bear Fence for Bee Hive Protection
I built my first bear fence earlier this fall. Interestingly, it is not in any of my bee yards that are in heavy black bear territory. But the farmer was worried about a bear seen in the area, and wanted … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping
Tagged bear, bee, beekeeper, Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm, build, Fence, hives, how to, Karen Bean, make, Maple Falls, Washington
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Preparing Bees For Winter Part 3: Nucleus Hives in Winter
My nucs are given the same 3 weeks of feed and are treated for mites, just like the strong hives. But after that, their lives take a different turn. Reminder: I prep the hives for winter starting in the third … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping
Tagged Beekeeping, bees, Brookfield Farm, hives, Karen Bean, Maple Falls, nucleus, over, Washington, Winter
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Preparing Bees for Winter at Brookfield Farm Part Two: Physical Preparation
Ready For Rain I was going on about winter stores, feeding, and mite treatment in the last blog post. This posting is about the more physical aspects of winter preparation at Brookfield Farm Bees And Honey, here in the land … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping
Tagged Brookfield Farm, covers, hive, insulation, Karen Bean, Maple Falls, preparation, rain, tie downs, Washington, Winter, wrapping
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Winter Stores, Feed & Mites : Preparing Bees for Winter at Brookfield Farm Part One
Winter Wonderland It gets wet, cold, and windy here in the winter. We can have these weather conditions in combination, in pairs, or singularly. I always hope for calm, clear, cold winter days, but this is the northwest corner of … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping
Tagged apiguard, bees, Brookfield Farm, cane syrup, essential oils, honey stores, Maple Falls, mite away, preparation, Washington, Winter
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Honey Extraction at Brookfield Farm
Last posting was about pulling honey at my bee yards. In my continuing “this happened about 3 weeks ago, but I’m catching up” format this is looking back on extracting that honey. I have a very small extraction room: 8 … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping
Tagged Brookfield Farm, extraction, honey, Maple Falls, pictures, Washington
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Honey Harvest Surprises
Brookfield Farm Honey I have been derelict in the writing of this blog. It’s been busy weeks – ok, busy months in the bee yard. I tend to stop working when the sun sets, and until recently, that has … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping
Tagged 2012, AFB, American Foul Brood, Bean, bees, Brookfield Farm, harvest, honey, Karen, Maple Falls, Washington
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