Beekeeping at Five Apple

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! )