Are you hoping to get started with bees this year? Beekeeping beginners are often overwhelmed with the amount of information they need to know and even more with the knowledge they will learn in their first year.
This post contains affiliate links; if you click on a link and make a purchase I might make a small commission but it doesn't affect the price you pay. Read my disclosure here.
You might have watched Amber and her family build their own off-grid home on the Discovery Channel earlier this year. And now her book, Beekeeping for Beginners: How to Raise Your First Bee Colonies, is taking on the world.
When I first became a beekeeper three years ago, I took an intense day-long class that covered the basics, taught by the commercial beekeeper from whom I bought my bee package. I took pages and pages and pages of notes.
Then I took an online beekeeping class that lasted several weeks. It reinforced what I'd learned in the first class plus I learned even more. Beekeeping is an intensive subject and there is always more to learn.
So I expected to learn a bit more from Beekeeping for Beginners, but I have to admit that I learned more than I expected to.
As well as covering the basics, this book went into detail on subjects not really covered by other sources.
For instance - and I think you'll get a laugh out of this - I've been wondering how to wash my bee veil - the part that keeps my face safe from the bees. I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere! So am I supposed to wash it or not? And how? I couldn't find the answer to my probably-silly question.
Well, now I know how to tackle this job.
Amber doesn't just cover the basics, she talks about the absolute-beginner-basics too - you know, those questions that make you feel like you're dumb for even asking. The questions that are SO basic that most beekeepers have probably forgotten that they once wondered that very same thing.
Not only do we need to wash our bee veil, Amber also mentioned how important it is to clean our equipment, from hive tool to feeder to smoker, and how to clean each piece. Thank you, Amber!
Beekeeping for Beginners: How to Raise Your First Bee Colonies is filled with all the information you need to start your own bee colony. You'll enjoy learning about why bees are important to our world and about the different kinds of beekeepers and beekeeping techniques. Amber's unique sense of humor and point of view are infused throughout the book, making it fun to read.
You'll be well on your way to becoming an expert beekeeper with this book on your beekeeping shelf!
Beekeeping for Beginners is available on Amazon right now and in stores near you. I've seen copies at our local Tractor Supply Co.
~~~~~
no matter your circumstances or where you live. Join me here:
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram