It begins this time of year in early spring. You may glance over your shoulder or try to peer around hedge. Could one be over there? Nope. Just a grouping of brown leaves. Wait… what’s that noise? The hum of a motor? An overhead light buzzing? You ponder staying indoors for the next month or […]
All Creatures
Natural Finish for Beehives
Keeping backyard bees is one of my greatest pleasures. Sitting on the patio with a cup of coffee in hand, I watch their comings and goings daily. Foraging bees return with water, pollen, and nectar. Departing bees head out in a direction based upon the dance they watched in the hive. In spite of the […]
10 Life Lessons I Learned from my Chickens
As someone who grew up with chickens (my parents raised them for both meat and eggs), chicken chores fell on my shoulders. Sure, while my friends were watching TV or riding their bikes, I was cleaning out nest boxes, gathering eggs, and carrying buckets of feed to refill the feeders. After a hiatus of not […]
Fall Beehive Checklist
For beekeepers, fall signals an end to all of the work of summer. But for those who live in regions that experience winter, there are still a few more tasks to do before settling down with a cup of tea in front of the fireplace. Remember, you actions now will help your bees survive the […]
California White: An Eggcellent Chicken for Urban Settings
Whether you have acres or a small backyard, chicken keepers are always searching for a great egg laying breed. Sure, temperament comes into play. Some folks may make decisions based on egg color, but for my money… when it comes to selecting an egg laying breed, California White is the one that I keep coming […]
Creating Solitary Bee Hotels
For folks across the country, September heralds the change of season. Hot summer days are replaced with pleasant temperatures and cooler evenings. Leaves are showing the first blush of fall color. Warm season crops such as peppers and tomatoes are still producing. And the bees foraging in the garden are making a final push to […]