Varroa mites can decimate your honey bee colony. They weaken the bees, decrease lifespan, and lead to high viral loads. What can be done? Every major honey bee organization recommends taking regular mite counts to assess the health of your colony. An increasing mite load can spell disaster for your hive - increasing disease and … Continue reading What if you are Doing Mite Counts Wrong?
Getting started with honey bees? There is much to learn! Read on to find books that will help you become a better beekeeper. Before we get started, it's important to note that beekeeping is best learned in a "hands-on" environment. Most beekeepers are helpful people and will gladly share their knowledge with you. However, beekeeping … Continue reading The Best Beekeeping Books for Beginners
This article is part of our Native Plant Series and features one pollinator friendly, drought tolerant US native plant hardy to at least zone 4. Prickly Pear cactus is a rare plant! It is native to the United states and can grow as far north as Minnesota. It thrives on dry sandy conditions, though we … Continue reading How to Grow Cold Hardy Prickly Pear Cactus – Edible, Rare, & Unique
This article is part of our Native Plant Series and features one pollinator friendly, drought tolerant US native plant hardy to at least zone 4. Minnesota is tough place to live! It's even tougher for plants. Long cold winters are the hallmark of our state, but most people are unaware that the middle strip of … Continue reading Ohio Spiderwort – Edible, Hardy, and Beautiful
How to permanently improve your sandy soil and grow amazing plants!
We have been tapping our maple trees for the last 6 years. It can be a lot of work, but it's worth it! You can tap almost any maple tree - in your urban yard, in the middle of a forest, or in your pasture. It doesn't matter. We started out tapping the 3 sugar … Continue reading Tapping Maple Trees for Syrup
Honey bees are model workers and important pollinators, but are they invasive? Should we be trying to save them or should we be forcing their eviction? As beekeepers, we get asked a zillion questions about bees. Over the years, the most common questions have centered on how to "save the bees." Just recently, that tone … Continue reading Are Honey Bees an Invasive Species
