I’ve been keeping honey bees for nearly 20 years now and last year I decided it was time for a radical change.

When I started beekeeping I joined the local beekeeping association and did a winter beginners course.  For most people on the course one of the first decisions to make was which type of hive they were going to use.  There were various options, with the most commonly used hive in the UK being the Modified National.  As many local beekeepers use Modified Nationals it is easier to obtain nucs of bees, to borrow or lend out equipment, obtain a frame of eggs and larvae if needed to raise a new queen etc.  They are also easier to move than some of the other hives if taking bees to the hive, or moving to another apiary.  I therefore decided to continue with the National hives I inherited when I took over from the beekeeper who was retiring and whose bees I was taking over.

National Hive

A swarm in May is worth a bale of hay

A swarm in June is worth a silver spoon

But a swarm in July isn’t worth a fly

So goes the old rhyme.  Today, however, it isn’t unusual for honeybees to swarm as early as April or as late as September.

A few years ago I started to write a monthly Gardening for Bees blog.  As tends to happen sometimes life got in the way and the blogs came to a grinding halt, as did the facebook posts. 

In November last year I decided to re-name the facebook page and start sharing posts again.  I’ve also been wanting to start sharing blogs again.  Conveniently my last Gardening for Bees Blog was in March so I thought I’d start with a Gardening for Bees in April blog.

I hope you will re-join me and enjoy following the blogs.