Beekeeping - Short and Sweet

I n this week's Podcast: We're well on our way towards the Summer solstice, now that we're in the month of June and colonies in all apiaries are building well. Nucleus colonies have surprised me over at the fishing lakes, but I've also found a number of colonies that are on a brood break, could this be as a result of the June Gap? Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 399...

I n this week's Podcast:  Lots of beekeeping happening this week, the weather has cooled, just a little, and I’ve been asked some questions about my preferred method of queen rearing and asked my views on Summertime moving of bees. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 398 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing a...

I n this week's Podcast: It’s all change, the colder weather of just a week ago has suddenly shifted into a weekend heatwave and that could put beekeepers at risk. Time to be sensible and avoid opening up our bee hives during those very hot periods in the day. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 397 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links b...

I n this week's Podcast: The cooler weather has definitely caused our colonies to slow down the wax production, that’s had a knock on effect in getting foundation drawn as comb, and the downturn in temperature has also meant grumpy bees! Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 396 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you not...

I n this week's Podcast: Wouldn’t you just know it, on the one day I really needed to carry out some inspections, it’s rained. It was cold, and it just kept raining all morning, the result, next day, yep, swarming! Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 395 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us contin...

I n this week's Podcast: The weather has been typically Spring like, warmer days, but with chilly nights. The double brood method has worked well in managing Spring growth and the Spring Honey Crop is growing nicely. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 394 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us cont...

I n this week's Podcast: It’s been yet another swarmy week with another two collected from my own apiaries. We have a nectar flow at the farm, and I’m using that to draw out more frames of foundation. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 393 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce...

I n this week's Podcast: Swarm number two safely collected, and it was a big one! If you’re collecting swarms, always go with a bigger box than you think you’ll need, stay tuned to hear why! Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 392 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our conten...

I n this week's Podcast: We’re off and running and in April, that means very changeable weather, intermittent showers, and some chilly inspections days. I had this just yesterday and although the bees behaved themselves, they certainly let you know you’re not welcome.  Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 391 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliat...

I n this week's Podcast: My plans for a gentle stroll into Spring were thrown off track this week when I received a call telling one of my colonies had swarmed. It was just the 2nd of April, too late for an April Fool’s joke, and so my season begins! Listen in for the full story and my surprise at feeling my first, new season sting! Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 390 of my podcast...

I n this week's Podcast: Well the week of warmer weather has suddenly turned cold and with it, a halt to my early inspections. We’re always busy though and with that in mind, I’ve been back to the workshop catching up on Spring preparations. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 389 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you...

I n this week's Podcast: First inspections, such an exciting moment in the season. An opportunity to have a quick look, at how our colonies have coped with the long winter months. This is just what I did during the week and it was a mixed bag as ever! Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 388 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links below, the...

I n this week's Podcast: Early inspections are just around the corner and with it, an opportunity to see how our colonies have fared over the Winter months. If you do take a look, do you know what you’re looking for? Listen in to hear what I think you should be checking out. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 387 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught af...

I n this week's Podcast: As we head into Spring beekeepers will, no doubt,  be contemplating various techniques to use on their hives to maximise the seasons honey crop. Techniques such as the Shook Swarm and Bailey Comb Change are useful ways of replacing comb and reducing pests and disease loading in your hive. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 385 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short a...

I n this week's Podcast: The Demaree method, honestly, I’ve always failed with it, on the other hand, my version using a split board is so much more effective and reliable. An important consideration for me when our seasons can be so short. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 385 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you...

I n this week's Podcast: It won’t be long before the early March Sunshine arrives and many beekeepers will start to stress a little, or maybe a lot, over their colonies swarming. The Artificial Swarm is an excellent method of managing this busy time of the season and, actually, it’s a really simple process that sometimes confuses. Hopefully today, I can take the mystery out of the technique f...

I n this week's Podcast: I talked about Nosema last week, and it got me thinking about the things I do to give my honeybees the very best opportunity at the start of the new season to produce a lovely crop of honey in the Summer. Let’s kick off with a more detailed look at the Spring Clean. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 383 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please suppor...

I n this week's Podcast: Nosema apis and Nosema Ceranae. Two, spore forming, parasitic Microsporidia!  They sound like something of a horror show for our bees and the effects of a heavy infection can be quite damaging. Listen in as I explain what it is, how you can identify it, and ultimately deal with it, so your bees can have a healthy and productive Summer. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome...

I n this week's Podcast: The past week has been all about the move home. I’m glad to say the office is getting there, but the honey room, well, that’s another story! Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 381 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content. Hive Five Multi Guard...

I n this week's Podcast: We have a few weeks yet until the start of the new beekeeping season. How can I make sure this year is as successful for my bees and me as it can possible be? Stay tuned to hear my thoughts and plans. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 380 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and hel...

In this week's Podcast: We’ve had some sunny weather for a change, I’ve been able to get out to an Apiary full of nucleus colonies. So this week, as promised, my take on what to look out for if you’re thinking of buying a nucleus colony for the start of the new season. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 379 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support us throught affiliat...

In this week's Podcast: With the recent appearance of snow in our apiaries there’s a belated Christmassy feel to the scene, not that it lasted very long at all for me here in Norfolk. We’ve been feeding warm fondant to some of our nucleus colonies and that’s triggered a social media response, listen in and I’ll explain exactly what I’ve been up to. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 3...

In this week's Podcast: A very Happy New Year to you all. It's a chilly start to 2026 so I've stayed in the office and figured now would be a good time to spill the beans on my beekeeping plans for the coming year.   Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 377 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support our main sponsor and advertiser: Hive Five Multi Guard Entrance...

In this week's Podcast: With just a few days left before Christmas I thought it an opportune moment to reflect back on the beekeeping year that was 2025. The highs, the lows and the ups and the downs! All feeding in to my plans for 2026. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 376 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support our main sponsor and advertiser: Hive Five Multi Gua...

In this week's Podcast: We’re well into December now, fast approaching the Winter Solstice, that shortest day of the year. Then we’re on the slow road back to Spring and all the fun that the warmer weather brings us, but what’s going on in our hives right now, here’s what I think…… Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 375 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Please support our mai...