Winter 2013-14

Bees all doing well and getting settled in for the winter. The temps were in the mid- 30's when I wrapped the hives on Nov. 30th. with tar/felt paper. This isn't so much to hold the heat but to absorb the sun's heat.
The bees in all 4 hives were aggressive and eager to come out to see who was pounding nails in their house, so that tells me they are healthy. Sick bees don't move much.
I'll be keeping an eye on them but by and large they are on their own for the next few months.
I have honey stored in the garage for them come spring from the 3 hives I killed off in Sept.

WELCOME!!!!

I'm just starting this blog on my beekeeping efforts in Plover, WI. where I harvest small batches of great tasting honey, all by hand.
Over 45 years ago the father of a childhood friend of mine from north central WI helped his son and I get started in bees. His name was Chuck. Chuck died over 10 years ago from cancer.

 

I worked with the bees for 3-4 years before I decided that family obligations and work was enough to keep me busy. Back in the 1980's with the boys.

In 2011 I started back up. It's amazing how much I remembered about working with bees. There is much I'll get into on this blog about the joys of bee keeping....one of which is having my grandson help me! The little guy above in the middle lower in red is the father of Jason below.

Our backyard adjoins to DNR land that the Little Plover River runs through.

The nectar gathered by the bees is primarily from local backyard flower gardens, clover from boulevards and shoulders of our small town streets along with all the local wild flowers available to the bees in and around town. They get their water from the stream/river above near the hives.
All this combines to make a very sweet and delicious honey, as many of my friends, family and customers have told me. I will include some testimonials here so check back to read them.

Bee yard, summer of 2013.