Tag Archives: hives

The Longest Winter

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Bean

It’s been a long winter here in the mountains in the northwest corner of the lower 48 states. It started snowing the first week of December and has just recently stopped. We did have a 1 ½ week break where … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged bee, bees, Brookfield Farm, hives, Maple Falls, snow, Washington, Winter | Leave a comment

Storing Bee Hive Frames in Winter

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Bean

I search continuously for easy, efficient, nontoxic ways to deal with bee equipment. Storing frames for winter has been an evolving technique. I am pretty happy with my new set up: stacking frames in boxes set on their sides. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Hive Components | Tagged bee, Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm, frames, hive, hives, how to, Maple Falls, store, Washington, Winter | Leave a comment

Spring Supers For Bee Hives

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Bean

Spring arrived early here this year. So I’ve supered the strong hives, many of which were packed with brood, and fed honey to those that had eaten nearly all their stores. Bees On Brood This is a spring … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Hive Components | Tagged bee, Brookfield Farm, foundation, hives, how to, Maple Falls, super, supers, Washington | Leave a comment

Why We Are Leaving the Bellingham Farmers Market on June 30

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Bean

Honesty can be a hindrance to business it seems. We sell raw honey from naturally-treated, antibiotic-free Washington state hives. Some of this honey is from our hives here in Whatcom County (northwest Washington state). Some of this honey is from … Continue reading →

Posted in Bee Business | Tagged antibiotic free, bees, Bellingham, Brookfield, Farm, Farmers, hives, honey, leaving, Maple Falls, Market, natural, raw, Washington, why | 3 Comments

Spring Hive Check List

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Bean

It is spring here: periods of sun between bouts of rain. I’ve taken the sunny days to do the spring hive assessment, which requires opening all of my hives (about 80) to check them, remove empty boxes, and give them … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm Bee Yards, Feeding Bees | Tagged bee, Brookfield Farm, check, feed, hive, hives, Maple Falls, over winter, spring, Washington | Leave a comment

Winter Preparation : The Final Steps

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Bean

The bees are all tucked in for the winter now. After making a bit more than enough mouse guards to place on those hives still “unguarded”, I switched the hives from fall-feed-mode to winter-mode. OUT WITH THE FEEDERS IN WITH … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm Bee Yards, Hive Components | Tagged bee, Brookfield Farm, covers, hives, insulation, Maple Falls, preparation, rain, Washington, Winter | 2 Comments

Making Mouse Guards 2013

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Bean

More than half of my hives are in bee yards where bears are known to roam. These yards have either solar/electric bear fences, Livestock Guard Dogs, or very large dogs who live on the property (the latter two are different … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Farm, Hive Components | Tagged bees, Brookfield Farm, guard, hives, how to, make, Maple Falls, mouse, Washington | Leave a comment

Spring Bee Hive Manipulation

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Bean

It’s spring (ok, four days of sun, we take what we can in the Pacific Northwest). In the spring, I manipulate my hives. At least that’s what I call it. I think the bees think “oh no, she’s messing with … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping | Tagged bee, Brookfield Farm, cleaning, hives, manipulation, Maple Falls, spring, Washington | Leave a comment

Checking Hives In February

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Bean

In a “normal” year, February brings deep snow in our area. This is year we have seen cold sunny days, cold overcast days, rain, a few sunny 50-degree (F) days, and now, as I write this, snow. During the sunny … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Feeding Bees, Hive Components | Tagged bee, Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm, hives, honey, inspection, Maple Falls, over, stores, Washington, Winter | Leave a comment

Bee Hive Foundation : So Many Foundations So Little Time

Posted on February 16, 2013 by Bean

What kind of foundation should one use in a hive? Now there’s a question that can start hours of conversations, and, sometimes, arguments. I thought I’d weigh in with my two cents on the subject. First all the disclaimers: What … Continue reading →

Posted in Beekeeping, Hive Components | Tagged Beekeeping, Brookfield Farm, foundation, foundationless, hives, how to, Maple Falls, plastic, Washington, wax | 2 Comments