Brookfield Farm Beekeeper Karen Bean
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Cutting Grass in Bee Yards
As spring moves into summer here in northwest Washington, the grass grows – with authority. What looked like a tidy-ish bee yard one week can be a jungle two weeks later. So armed with my trusty power scythe, I headed … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm Bee Yards
Tagged bee, beekeeper, Brookfield Farm, cutting, grass, Karen Bean, Maple Falls, scythe, Washington, yards
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Dressing For Winter Markets
My bees and I live in the northwest corner of Washington state. To the west is Puget Sound (also known as the Salish Sea). The Cascade Mountains rise to Mount Baker’s 10,781 foot summit (3,286 meters), 58 road miles inland. … Continue reading
Posted in Bee Business, Marketing
Tagged beekeeper, Brookfield Farm, clothes, Karen Bean, layers, Maple Falls, Markets, Washington, Winter, wool
2 Comments
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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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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Why I Keep Bees And Sell Honey (there are easier ways to make a living)
There’s a song in the musical Man of LaMancha that goes “Why does he do the things he does? Why does he do these things?” Sometimes I sing this to myself as I move from hive to hive, but somehow … Continue reading
Posted in Marketing
Tagged beekeeper, beekeepers, Brookfield Farm Bees and Honey, honey, Karen E. Bean, Maple Falls, Marketing, Skagit Valley, spaker, Washington, why
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A Visit to British Beekeeper Ian Campbell (Newcastle, England)
Beekeeper Ian Campbell Meeting other beekeepers in new places is one of the greatest joys of traveling, to me. I recently went to Newcastle, in England, where I met beekeeper Ian Campbell. He’s a truly knowledgeable beekeeper whose honeybees live … Continue reading
Changing Hives from Winter to Spring Mode
What We Call Spring I was musing a posting or two ago on when to feed my bees. The time is now (for me). The alders are in pollen, but the weather is too foul for the bees to come … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping
Tagged Bean, beekeeper, bees, Brookfield, Farm, feeding, honeybee, how to, Karen, Maple Falls, preparation, spring, Washington, Winter
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To Feed or Not To Feed and When To Feed?
A robin crossed my path a few days ago. The alders are displaying their still closed catkins. The chickadees have been singing for a few weeks. Spring is coming. The crocuses usually follow the robins by 2 weeks. About 6 … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping
Tagged Bean, bee, beekeeper, bees, Brookfield Farm, feed, feeders, feeding, hives, honey, honeybees, Karen, Maple Falls, spring, Washington, when to
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Beekeeper Gloves
Gloves: some beekeepers use them, some don’t. I do not like to be stung. I wear gloves. It is said that if you work well, bees will not sting you. I always wonder if the people who say this have … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping
Tagged bee, beekeeper, Beekeeping, bees, Brookfield, Brookfield Farm, Farm, gloves, goat, honey, honeybees, leather, Maple Falls, nitrile, Washington
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