Tag Archives: Saskatchewan
The Story of my Life (in less than two hours)
I had a wonderful interview with Sylvia and Luca from Vitamina Bee, an Italian videography/website. We touched on everything from veganism to bee-on-bee competition, the history of beekeeping, my Master’s research, and my early life on a farm with nine … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping, Books, Commercial Beekeeping, Ecology, History, Personal
Tagged Bad Beekeeping, beekeeping in Italy, honey bees, Saskatchewan, video, Vitamina Bee
1 Comment
Remembering Eva Crane: Beekeeper and Physicist
June 12th. I have an excuse to write a bit about the amazing Ethel Eva Widdowson, born in London on June 12th, 1912. By age 30, she had defended her doctorate in nuclear physics, begun to teach at Sheffield University, … Continue reading
Posted in Books, History, People
Tagged Canada, Eva Crane, IBRA, Mexico, Miel Carlota, Saskatchewan, Tammy Horn, varroa mites
5 Comments
Smokers, beware: Stuff I’ve Smoked
Yesterday, I started a discussion about whether beekeepers should use a smoker. (Smoke or no smoke?) I think you should use one, but you’ve got to be smart about it. I’ll write more about smart smoking tomorrow, in a piece … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping, Books, Tools and Gadgets
Tagged Bad Beekeeping, bee smoker, Earl Emde, Florida, Saskatchewan, smoker fuel
17 Comments
Package Bee Population
Yesterday, I wrote about bee populations in a hive that starts as a package. The original bees slowly die while the number of new bees, arising from eggs laid by the package’s queen, rapidly increases. In yesterday’s example, the immigrant … Continue reading
Posted in Beekeeping, Queens, Science
Tagged Florida, package bees, queenless hives, Saskatchewan
10 Comments
Peak Dandelion
For a lot of temperate-climate beekeepers, dandelions are the peak of the spring season. Their bloom marks the point where hives are finally getting much stronger, nectar is pouring in, and the dandelions’ massive gifts are giving a fine boost … Continue reading
Posted in Bee Biology, Climate, Ecology, Honey Plants
Tagged bee nutrition, dandelions, pollen, Saskatchewan
3 Comments
Hobby Beekeepers Get an Extra Hour
Most folks I know reset their clocks last night. This is great for hobby beekeepers who race home after work to don gaudy bee suits and ignite smoker fuel, hoping to beat the setting sun. Not so fast, Beekeepster. You … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Friends, History, Humour, Reblogs
Tagged Arizona, Ben Franklin, Hutterites, Saskatchewan, Savings Time
5 Comments
Canada: More Buzzing than Ever at 150
Today is Canada’s 150 birthday, so “it’s Canada Day, up Canada way”, as Stompin’ Tom Connors used to say. If you don’t know Stompin’ Tom, here’s your chance to rectify a serious deficiency. Connors was a great Canadian country/folk singer … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, History, Honey Plants
Tagged Canada, Saskatchewan, Stompin Tom
1 Comment
Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Improves its Image
It’s about time. Tisdale, Saskatchewan has finally reformed its town sign and slogan. No longer will it be the Land of Rape & Honey. I thought that they’d go with the Land of Canola & Honey. But Opportunity knocked. The … Continue reading
Posted in Culture, or lack thereof, Strange, Odd Stuff
Tagged canola, Rape and Honey, Saskatchewan, Tisdale
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Sweet Sweet Clover (part 2)
Yesterday, I couldn’t say enough good things about sweet clover. The magic honey plant is just starting to bloom here in southern Alberta. In a few weeks, it will yield so much nectar that bees will plug supers with fine … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Honey Plants, Save the Bees
Tagged Grasslands National Park, invasive species, Lise Perrault, Saskatchewan, sweet clover, Val Marie
6 Comments
Sweet Sweet Clover (part 1)
Every June there is a wash of yellow along the edge of almost every highway and trail in North America. The yellow is from sweet clover that grows and blooms all across the continent. It’s wild and it has been … Continue reading
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