Two hives getting ready for the new home "away from home"
Busy bee week for me! Three small hives are now happily housed here on the urban homestead. Additionally, I was lucky (and fortunate) to find a nearby homeowner that will let me keep a few at her home.
I scouted out her property the other day and was happy with what I saw. It’s huge in size with a hilly terrain. Her property, situated next to a park, has a tennis court and pool. So, the bees will be in a quiet and secluded place. I plan on starting out with two hives there and see how things go from there.
Another friend and fellow city beekeeper is housing his hives nearby. So, apparently a good spot – nearby and easy to keep on eye on.
Better yet, it’s so close I can even bike!
Mail order bees
Been getting a few email requests about selling bees to start newbies (or “newbees,” in this case). I’m thinking about it, but first will concentrate on the health and welfare of the hives here. If, God willing, all goes well, I MAY have a few to sell in the future.
Besides being busy with bees and spring plantings, tax time has arrived. Well, farming and taxes don’t mix. In an agricultural society, the powers that be would know better than to require tax filings during spring plantings. However, I’m chief financial officer here, so like I always do, I filed for an extension. I have WORK to do!
TAXES: Of life’s two certainties, the only one for which you can get an automatic extension. ~Author Unknown
Comments(12)
Ginger says:
April 15, 2011 at 12:29 pmFun post! My newbees will be showing up in May. Don’t you just love installing a new hive of bees?
Nebraska Dave says:
April 15, 2011 at 2:29 pmJustin, I’m so glad to see that there are once again bees on the homestead. I think it’s great that folks in the city will let you put hives on their property. I expect that they will get part of the honey for letting you keep a hive on their site.
Happy tax day.
elaine nieves says:
April 15, 2011 at 2:56 pmI had to chuckle when I read the quote about taxes. How true it is. My hat is off to you for juggling all the jobs that you have to do daily and then be CFO in addition! It is very inspiring to read all that you and your family accomplish on your urban homestead.
Mia says:
April 15, 2011 at 4:39 pmYou pay taxes? You mean you make a profit? Good for you.
Anais says:
April 15, 2011 at 4:58 pm@Mia: Yep, every year. Well, not much but we get by!
Chris says:
April 16, 2011 at 5:36 amTaxes suck.
D.B.R. says:
April 17, 2011 at 1:54 amI am so happy to see how well you are doing. I am trying to get started here and it seems so hard. We are clearing land right now. I have 10 acres, and we only ever cleared 2 acres. We are clearing another two so we can have field crops. I am trying your raised bed approach, so far nothing. I guess I am doing something wrong. I can plant a field fine, but hauling in dirt for raised beds seems like extra work. Good luck, I hope some of the luck comes our way too.
A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L. says:
April 30, 2011 at 11:56 am@D.B.R., I’m not sure whether the Dervaes would agree or not, but with property that big, you really want to go at it in baby steps.
There are many advantages to raised beds, but depending on the health and texture of your soil, may not be 100% necessary to get started. Perhaps building a few each season, while working the rest of the land directly in ground would gradually get you built up.
Stan McClain says:
April 27, 2011 at 10:37 amJustin- Have you given any thought to offering centrifuge services in exchange for honey?
I’m not pleased with my technique of mashing the comb and then straining it, my honey ends up solidifying after a few months; it looks and tastes “waxy”. I kinda hate to buy a $250 hand crank centrifuge, which I’ll only use twice a year. Do you have any new thoughts?
Stan @ Johnston Lake
Anais says:
April 27, 2011 at 1:28 pm@Stan McClain: Yes we have! Thinking about trading the “rental use” for % of honey. Have to work out details. Will get back to you, or if you don’t hear from us just give us a reminder! 😉
kerstina says:
May 2, 2011 at 9:28 pmYou are soo funny!!! Good luck with the bees!
bfYsa0M1 says:
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