Category Archives: Smallholding

Trouble Brewing

Posted on February 23, 2012 by james

I’ve not made much beer in the last year, so having ordered 25kg of pale malt and various other bits and pieces, last week I decided to crack on with a few brews. Protz and Wheeler’s “Brew Your Own British … Continue reading →

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Splitting Eggs

Posted on February 5, 2012 by james

Though it’s much warmer today we’ve had four or five days on the trot where the temperatures have barely risen above freezing, getting down to close to -10C on one occasion. One of the unexpected results of this sudden cold … Continue reading →

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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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