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In the last week of September ,as the heather was fading, I took the supers off the four hives at Jamie's farm on Mynydd Morvil in the Preselis, reduced the hives to their brood boxes and started to feed the bees to make up for...

On Saturday we managed to take about 85 lbs of honey from three of the four hives I have up in the Preselis. I was ably assisted by Jamie and Suzi Owen who own the restored crofter's farm where the hives are sited. We are...

I have had the busiest and most challenging season so far  - and learnt a huge amount. The year started full of promise with strong colonies and lovely weather...

Today was the busiest day for the bees for a couple of months as the temperature rose in the afternoon sun. All of the hives seem to have viable colonies so far - although end of Feb and start of March can be the most trying...

Along with the Rosemary, our Winter heather has started to flower. Today is 14 degrees and although breezy, it is sunny. Down at the hives after over a week of being cooped up due to the bad weather, there is a fair bit of activity. All hives have a...

Even though it was a fairly pleasant afternoon today, in between the showers the temperature has dipped back to a more normal level. Any foraging activity around the apiary was limited to Ronaldo and his hens, as the bees stayed indoors. So, I thought I would start...

Our bees have been working hard this Autumn. The last few weeks the main foraging has continued to be the ivy and the Autumn heather. The mild weather has benefitted the bees and all the colonies are strong. A good way to assess each colony on...

Today there has been a surge in nectar flow from the ivy with our bees putting on the afterburner to build up stores for the Winter. Walking amongst the hives one is hit by the pungent scent of ivy honey being laid down in the combs and the...

In assessing the hives in preparation for Winter, I found one had become Queen-less and were on the slide in terms of numbers....

One secret to successful beekeeping which it took me a couple of years to learn, is preparing well for the coming seasons....

Over the past 2 years or so, I have been watching the progress of a "wild" colony situated about 2 miles down the estuary about 12 feet up an old Beech tree. I visited it again today to see how it had fared this Summer. There was...

After a rough couple of days as the remnants of Hurricane Bertha moved across Pembrokeshire and having spent yesterday windsurfing I wondered if it was "tools down" at the apiary too....

Its been a busy Summer for both us and the bees. The hot weather has meant that the majority of the flowers and blossoms were not only full and productive this year, but they were also early. Another issue noted by quite a few gardeners – as well...