Beekeeping at FiveApple

In the second part of the interview, Troy talks about his late summer/fall management strategy as well as how he manages to overwinter nucs (a core part of his operation as it is to mine) in New Hampshire winters. He also gives me some great tips on how to make winter feeding of those nucs easier in my apiary. Troy also talks about the benefits of raising and selling overwintered nucs as a premium...

  Today's episode is part one of a rambling bee chat I had with full-time beekeeper Troy Hall of New Hampshire back in the Spring. At Hall Apiaries he produces honey, queens and nucs in a creative, stationary operation of 700ish hives primarily managed without treatments. What a delightful and inspiring person and beekeeper! Hope you enjoy it. Show Note Links: Hall Apiaries Website https://nhbeeke...

Tips for keeping bees cool, Solstice Queens, Split Comparisons & Patron bonus bookmark (117)  Part 1: Ways to cool off hives, benefits of post-solstice queens .  Part 2: continues for patrons with bonus content on comparing the Runaway and the Cut-Down/Reverse Doolittle splits, more about post-solstice queens, detailed show notes with links to some helpful videos.    ---- Please become a Frien...

A bee-radio-reader episode with Tina Sebestyen's how to overview of a Reverse Doolittle Split which, spoiler alert, is the same as a Cut-Down Split! But Tina explains it so much better than I have!    This episode released last week with detailed show notes for the Patreon supporters. Thank you patrons for keeping this podcast rolling!  ----   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and jo...

Detailed show note (usually a Patreon exclusive but wanted everyone to get the links below): There is hardly a split that is as easy and that yields the reliable results as the Runaway split we all have learned from Ang Roell and Sam Comfort. Remember it when you just need to get it done! This is their description of the process from their SARE grant description: "....Move the hive to a new positi...

(recorded the first few days of March 2024) There was a tech glitch (what happens if you don't do updates regular on the old computer OS...ha) and I couldn't edit this one like usual so it's both late and rough cut, with an even rougher addendum pasted in! But wanted to put it up for everyone. Next episode starts my usual obsession with splits!  Links mentioned in this episode… (new Patreon exclus...

So as I mentioned last time, there was an episode on another podcast I eagerly played because I'm fascinated with the topic, only to be disappointed at the angle they took on some things, and in outright (friendly) disagreement on other points. Just a random ramble of thoughts and reflections for the patrons who keep this podcast going. Huge appreciation to you all! Leigh (episode continues for Pa...

Here we are starting a new year and getting another chance to all be even better beekeepers. In this episode: a challenge to you all to stretch your skills and go deeper! Also, thinking about the disservice we do to new beekeepers focusing on starting with a package instead of a nuc... and other random tidbits including some teasers on upcoming episodes. So glad you are here! Leigh   --   Please b...

Thinking aloud on the factors in my beekeeping practice that may have contributed to a successful 13th year of fully chemical-free beekeeping. But first, some of the bad beekeeping I've done lately...ha! :-) THANK YOU Patrons for your continued support. You make these podcasts possible...AND commercial free for everyone! Leigh   --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the fol...

Wanted to get this out there tonight but will have to compile the links I mention tomorrow! By then, this free link should have the info mentioned in the episode:   https://www.patreon.com/posts/93855226   This podcast continues to be listener-powered and free of adverts and sponsorship messages. Thanks to the Patrons!!    :-) Leigh   --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join t...

Greetings from a new homeplace! Bee yard goings on as Autumn rolls into a colder season. It is such a delight to be back with you. Leigh   This podcast continues to be listener-powered and free of adverts and sponsorship messages. Thanks to the Patrons!!    --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get...

Reviewing the content of a club talk I gave last month "Specialty Splits: Or, Why would you Ever just do a Walkaway?"   This podcast continues to be listener-powered so remains free of adverts and sponsorship messages. Thank you Patrons!!    --   Please become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podc...

108: Bee Radio Reader: Bait Hives Reading the older article Bait Hives for Honey Bees by Dr. Tom Seeley et al. Read the article here.  Other links to bait hive info:  https://www.beeculture.com/get-bait-hives-ready/ https://www.bee-craft.com/beecraft-extra/articles/how-to-use-a-bait-hive https://www.honeybeesuite.com/tag/swarm-traps/ Enjoy! And happy swarm catching!  Note: The splits book will be...

Ep 107: Coming out of Winter and HELLO AGAIN!  (Recorded mid-March 2023) It's so exciting to see the new beekeeping season on the horizon....even if I had horrid overall winter survival due to things I failed do last season. I'll talk about late winter colony issues and care, how NOT to have a winter like I had, how to get the most out of bee mentors and your bee guild, and other random bee chat t...

  Our local black jar honey contest has awarded the winners! Sadly, I'm not among them...but some great folks are. A foray into Fall weirdness at the home apiary with some robbing and (whut?!) bees building outside a tree. And a teaser about the potentially amazing product-to-come, Optera. Hope you enjoy! Leigh   --   Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make t...

Hello wonderful Patrons and all listeners! FINALLY a new episode - catching up a bit on the farm bees, pre-winter prep progress and random bits. THANK YOU ALL for your support and patience with me. Leigh   ps. I mentioned a couple of videos I've enjoyed lately. Bee videos are my favorite way to make kitchen clean up more enjoyable! :-) I was letting bee videos play in the background and ended up l...

Bee Radio Reader: Combining Hives Early for Fall (103) Reading from "Practical Mergers: Do It Soon" by Zachary Lamas, August 2020, by permission of Bee Culture Magazine.  -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get:   • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to Patreon blog posts includin...

Episode 102: Summertime and the living is....hot. Tips on cooling off hives in summer; REVIEW of test-frame technique to detect queenlessness vs other reasons. WINNER of the Bee Culture magazine sub from episode 100!!! Thank you all so much for listening! I invite everyone to join on Patreon below for more content --or if you just want to support the show. If that's not your thing -- please consid...

In this episode: LOVING the runaway (or flyback) split after all! / comparisons of other types of splits / tips for newspaper combines / tips for fixing a laying worker colony.  I go on and on since I have lots of built up stuff to tell you! Please forgive me on that (and ignore the JET going overhead during the middle ). So glad to be back in the bees and back chatting with you! Leigh     -- Plea...

Episode 100! Double Screen Board Love   Links mentioned in the episode: This is the link (free and open to everyone) if you are interested in the book and Bee Culture subscription mentioned in celebration of this 100th episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/episode-100-love-65588303   Bob Binnie on splitting with a double screen board. Please note he is using queen cells so the compartment without...

Thinking about Splits (99) - Hi Patrons! Hit me up with your questions about splits in the comments of the show post at Patreon and I'd be happy to try to help ! https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple     -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts possible! In addition to huge gratitude, you get: • BONUS podcasts and early access episodes • Access to...

Hi everyone! This is a compilation episode of previous patreon-only episodes 66 and 85-- both on the Nucleus Split method which I use a lot. It's simple, pretty safe* even if the weather is still cool. Also gives a brood break to the great majority of the bees which helps lessen mite reproduction.   (*as long as you make sure the queen retirement nuc has plenty of bees to cover the frames on cold...

Bonus episode (97) for Patrons: Thoughts on the Interview A rambling recount of tidbits I took away from the Ang Roell interview and the study results and how it will affect splits in my own beekeeping....but also drawing your attention to bits of info that were small in mention but HUGE in importance. Hope you enjoy. THANK YOU PATRONS!! Leigh   Please check out the PDF " Walk Away Split Recipe &...

Ang Roell Interview Part 2 (96) In this portion with dig deeper into the factors affecting queen quality in the study as well as wander on some enjoyable tangents! Please check out the PDF " Walk Away Split Recipe & Fact Sheet" available free at www.theykeepbees.com for context. Hope you enjoy! Leigh   -- Please become a "Friend of the Podcast" on Patreon and join the folks who make the podcasts p...

I've been watching the research, results and resources emerging from the work of Ang Roell, Sam Comfort and team for a few years now! Their latest data and resources have gone above and beyond! AND have directly application to backyard beekeepers who want to raise their own queens and get a QUALITY result.  To get the free resources mentioned in the episode go here and look for the downloads towar...