Category Archives: Smallholding

New Apiary Progress

Posted on January 22, 2012 by james

I found time this weekend to get out into the new apiary area and clear up the mess from felling the trees last time, including cutting one of them up into shorter lengths to dry out this year. That allowed … Continue reading →

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This Year’s Veg Plot Plans

Posted on January 22, 2012 by james

This week I finally got around to ordering most of the seeds for our vegetable plot. Somewhat later than I usually do it (I plan to get everything sorted in November if I can, but events have overtaken me somewhat … Continue reading →

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Dads’ & Childrens’ Fishing Trip

Posted on January 22, 2012 by james

I’ve been talking about the idea of going fishing for some time now. I’ve never done it before and I like the idea of catching fish to eat. My son has been watching “Hugh’s Fish Fight” and was also very … Continue reading →

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Paynes Polystyrene Brood Boxes

Posted on January 12, 2012 by james

Along with my poly nuc boxes I ordered some of Payne’s poly brood boxes, intending to use them this year with my own floors and supers. As with the nuc boxes, first impressions are good. Other reports on these had … Continue reading →

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Polystyrene Nucleus Boxes

Posted on January 12, 2012 by james

I was going to make up some nucleus boxes this year. Quite a few people have been giving positive reports of the Paynes poly nuc boxes though, and the prices in their sale finally convinced me to buy some. They … Continue reading →

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My First Polystyrene Hive

Posted on January 12, 2012 by james

Abelo Beekeeping Equipment sell both National and Langstroth polystyrene hives. I believe they source them from Lyson in Poland. Unfortunately their current batch of National hive bodies have incorrect spacing between the frame sides and the walls, and between the … Continue reading →

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The New Home Apiary

Posted on January 10, 2012 by james

Plans the for current apiary space mean that this year my hives must move. Next to the hives I took over this year (on a bit of land belonging to a neighbouring farmer) we have a scabby patch of ground … Continue reading →

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Beekeeping Plans for 2012

Posted on January 10, 2012 by james

During the course of 2011 I took over a number of hives from other local beekeepers wanting to reduce the number they had. Four colonies that I took on at the start of the year were at a nearby farm, … Continue reading →

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Home-built Honey-warming Cabinet

Posted on January 10, 2012 by james

I have about 90kg of oilseed rape honey that has solidified and obviously before I can turn it into soft-set honey I need to melt it again. Warming cabinets are far from cheap to buy and it’s not exactly hard … Continue reading →

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Varroa Treatment with Oxalic Acid

Posted on January 10, 2012 by james

On Sunday I treated my bees with oxalic acid as part of my varroa mite management. The general idea is to pick a time close to Christmas or New Year when there is hopefully no brood in the hive and … Continue reading →

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