The Royal Jelly

A Honeybee Garden

Bees are in decline but you can help restore a healthy bee population right in your own garden by doing a couple of things.

First stop using pesticides and herbicides. There are a number of ingredients that are toxic to bees. If you absolutely must use a pesticide, spray in the evening when bee activity has ceased.

Next, plant a bee friendly garden. To name a few from our garden, bee balm, cosmos, lavender, zinnias, Russian sage, sunflower, poppy, mint, marigold, black eyed susan, and asters all attract bees and have ample pollen for the bees to make honey. Include various heights of flowers and only single form flowers. Those with double forms(multiple layers of petals) have less pollen.

Basically bees prefer a naturalistic landscape to live and feed. Maybe by educating others we can reverse the effects of the decline of bees and learn to live together.

Tags: asters, bee activity, bee balm, bee population, black eyed susan, decline of bees, Flowers, Honey, honeybee, lavender, mint, naturalistic landscape, pesticide spray, pesticides and herbicides, petals, pollen, poppy, russian sage

NEW-Colored & Scented Pillar Candles

Bee Global’s new colored and scented beeswax candles are un-bee-lievably irresistible. Made with pure beeswax  and lightly scented with natural artisan perfumes made here in the U.S. Each pillar is hand poured and colored using dyes made with only eco-friendly ingredients. Choose from amy of our 7 scents and colors:

• Citrus Twist – Uplifting and refreshing

• Sweet Chocolate – Sweet  and luxurious

• Lavender – Relaxing and comforting

• Honey Beary – A touch of honey

• Carolina Fir – Woodsy and natural

• Spring Rain – Soft and clean

• Lemon Verbena – Fresh squeezed lemon

Tags: artisan, beeswax candles, colors, eco-friendly candles, fir, Honey, lemon verbena, natural spring, non-toxic candles, perfumes, scented pillar candles, scents, spring rain, sweet chocolate

Adventures in beekeeping #2

I wish I was writing to tell the stories told during the long hours of a sourwood honey harvest, but this year that will not bee. Many factors could be cited for the dearth of honey including the rainy weather, our inexperience, establishing new hives, but ultimately I think it’s just the nature of beekeeping. The reality check is we began the season with 8 hives of Russian bees, yet after a succession of mid summer queen supersedures, we now stand with 4 hives. The existing hives are thriving and healthy, which gives encouragement as we head into the fall and winter season. In preparation for the winter I have been feeding the bees regularly and have tested for varroa mites with a powder sugar dusting. We look forward to meeting Spring with vibrant hives and the anticipation of a great honey season.

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Tags: bee keeping, hives, honey harvest, russian bees, sourwood honey, summer queen, varroa mites