Beekeeping - Short and Sweet

In this week's Podcast:   It's been a cold week, a very cold week in some spots. We got off lightly here in Norfolk but the snow still settled on the ground, if only for an hour or two. The forecast is slightly warmer and then back to colder conditions, time then, to hold fast, wait another couple of weeks and prepare for the new season to begin. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Epi...

In this week's Podcast:   March often begins with a cold snap followed by warmer, sunnier days, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a fast start but the forecast isn't very helpful, listen in to hear why I'm ever so slightly concerned. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 248 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company Join Our Bee...

In this week's Podcast:   It's My Birthday! Five years ago, on February 25th I publish my very first podcast, since then we've covered all manner of topics and I've offered up tips and techniques to help you get the maximum amount of enjoyment out of your bees. Stay tuned as we head into the new beekeeping season and look forward to all that this year might throw at us. Hi, I’m...

In this week's Podcast: In my last podcast I was discussing the more serious honeybee diseases AFB and EFB. This time it's the turn of the not-so-tricky pests and diseases such as Chalkbrood, Wax Moth and also possibly the biggest threat to our colonies the Varroa Mite. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 246 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. References for today'...

In this week's Podcast:   One of the biggest challenges beekeepers face each season is the identification of pests and diseases, working out how serious that problem is and then deciding what course of treatment to take. Here's part one of my summary of what to look out for. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 245 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. National Bee Unit Bee...

In this week's Podcast: For beekeepers who are overwintering colonies, it may seem that Spring is still a long way off but there are things we can do to check the health of our bees. One of those is checking for nosema, stay tuned to hear some of my thoughts and what the results could mean for your coming season. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 244 of my podcast, Beekeeping Shor...

In this week's Podcast: In the depths of Winter thoughts turn to warmer weather and the prospect, for many, of purchasing their first nucleus colony of honeybees. Here's what to expect and what to look out for. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 243 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. National Bee Unit Advisory Leaflets can be found HERE Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey...

In this week's Podcast:  For new beekeepers, the most important decision can be which hive type to use. With so many options out there it can be quite confusing, today I give my views on some of the most popular. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 242 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following wa...

In this week's Podcast: A new year means we can all look forward to an exciting new beekeeping season and there's no better way to get excited for it than to make some plans for the coming year. Stay tuned to hear what I have planned for the coming season. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 241 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say t...

In this week's Podcast: My final podcast of 2022 or is it my first of 2023?! Another year slips by and we've had such fun this year. Here's my look back at the last twelve months and a thought or two about what our new beekeeping season is likely to bring. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 240 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to...

In this week's Podcast: It's been a really frosty week, temperatures dropping like a stone and woodpeckers paying a little too much attention to my beehives, listen in for my latest damage report. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 239 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is now sponsored in part by Simon The Beekee...

In this week's Podcast: Eke's Leaks and Fondant, what a combination! What's an Eke I hear you say, stay tuned to find out more on that, the detective work on the leak continues and a chat about when and how to feed fondant over the Winter months. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 238 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that o...

In this week's Podcast: We began our Oxalic Acid Winter treatments this week, the first batch of many. Our bees had their first taste of wintery weather and were Clustered together, stay tuned to find out why. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 237 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is now sponsored in part by Simon Th...

In this week's Podcast:  The cleaning and sorting continue at a fair old pace, I'm reminded that a Christmas wish list needs compiling, and my mind is drawn to planning our Winter Oxalic Acid treatments. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 236 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is now sponsored in part by Simon The...

In this week's Podcast:   I've finally made a start on the Winter clean-up work, scraping and scorching wooden boxes in readiness for the new season, stay tuned to hear how I get it sorted. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 235 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is now sponsored in part by Simon The Beekeeper - &...

In this week's Podcast:   I have some exciting new honey room equipment to share with you today, I know I really should get out more but hey us beekeepers just love shiny new stainless steel. Listen in for this and much more. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 234 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is now sponsored in...

In this week's Podcast:   Last week we discussed veterinary medicines, importantly they have a treatment period that should not be exceeded, listen in to hear why and catch up with my beekeeping week. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 233 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is now sponsored in part by Simon The Beekeep...

In this week's Podcast:   The records we keep form an important part of, understanding how our bees have performed, and the can inform our judgement of the treatments we use throughout the beekeeping season. Veterinary Medicines Records are an important part of these, as are the Authorised treatments we use. Listen in for a rundown of the current product list available to beekeepers. Hi, I’m...

In this week's Podcast:   This week it's pallets stands, grain store woes, Parasitic Mite Syndrome and Acetic acid Treatments, listen in for all this and more beekeeping chat. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 231 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is now sponsored in part by Simon The Beekeeper - 'Making be...

In this week's Podcast:   I'm still playing catch up and this week that involved hefting, part science, part black magic, I was very happy with the results, listen in to hear how to practice before heading out to your hives. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 230 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is now sponsored...

In this week's Podcast:    It's October, I've survived Covid, and really need to catch up on a few jobs around the apiaries to make sure were still on track for a cosy Winter, listen in for my round-up and all things beekeeping. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 229 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is now...

In this week's Podcast:   September has brought with it some much cooler conditions and as the days grow shorter we chase around to get bees treated and fed. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 228 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is now sponsored in part by Simon The Beekeeper - 'Making beekeeping an affordable...

In this week's Podcast:   What we do now in preparing our colonies for the Winter will have a direct impact on the bees. Not necessarily before the end of the year but more importantly, as we approach next Spring. Work carried out now, will reap its rewards, so don't delay. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 227 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm...

In this week's Podcast:   Finally,  we've had some rain, guess which beekeeper chose that day to spend strapping hives and tidying apiaries! Listen in for more of my beekeeping exploits, oh, and wasps have featured in our work once more. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 226 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is...

In this week's Podcast:   We’re really motoring right now, there just don’t seem to be enough hours in the day and the jobs keep piling up. Listen in to hear how I spent one of my days this week. Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks and welcome to Episode 225 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet. Sponsorship: I'm delighted to say that our podcast is now sponsored in part by Simon The Beekeeper -...