The Beekeeping Bible

This comprehensive beekeeping guide covers all the practicalities and will teach you everything there is to know about caring for bees and safe hive management, with clear instructions and step-by-step illustrations.

The Beekeeper's Bible is as much an ultimate guide to the practical essentials of beekeeping as it is a beautiful almanac to be read from cover to cover. Part history book, part handbook, and part cookbook, this illustrated tome covers every facet of the ancient hobby of beekeeping, from how to manage hives safely to harvesting one's own honey, and ideas for how to use honey and beeswax. Detailed instructions for making candles, furniture polish, beauty products, and nearly 100 honey-themed recipes are included. Fully illustrated with how-to photography and unique etchings, any backyard enthusiast or gardener can confidently dive into beekeeping with this book in hand (or daydream about harvesting their own honey while relaxing in the comfort of an armchair). Praise for The Beekeeper's Bible "Jones and Sweeney-Lynch explain the science and society of bees in clear, accessible language. And the recipes are admirably useful: honey scones, honey soap, honey hangover cures. 'Oh, stuff and fluff, ' as Pooh might say. Dip a paw into this richly satisfying volume and you won't have to do stoutness exercises." -The New York Times "Lip-smackin' throughout, The Beekeeper's Bible is, at its heart, a glorious invitation into the depths of the honeybee hive." --Chicago Tribune "An elegant, information-packed addition to the library of the most serious beekeeper." --Better Homes & Gardens Country Gardens "An amazing compendium of information, lore, facts, tips, techniques, and benefits of having bees in your life--whether you choose to keep a hive yourself, enjoy the by-products, or just appreciate these wonderful creatures for all that they contribute to our human ecosystem." --About.com

The Bee Book shows you step-by-step how to create a bee-friendly garden, get started in beekeeping, and harness the power of honey for well-being. Fully illustrated with full-color photographs throughout, this beautiful guide covers everything you need to know to start your own backyard hive, from setup to harvest. Practical beekeeping techniques are explained with clear step-by-step sequences, photos, and diagrams so you'll be prepared to establish your own colony, deal with diseases, collect a swarm, and much more. A comprehensive gardening chapter features planting plans to fill container and border gardens, bee "hotel" and habitat projects, and an at-a-glance flower gallery of bees' favorite plants. The Bee Book also shows you how to harvest honey, beeswax, and propolis from the hive and use these ingredients in 38 recipes for home remedies, beauty treatments, and candle-making. Discover the wonder of bees in nature, in your garden, and in the hive with The Bee Book.

From pollination, gardening, beekeeping, and recipes, this guide has everything amateur and veteran apiarists to keep a hive buzzing. Beekeeping might seem exotic or old-fashioned, but around the world it is becoming more and more common to find a hive or two in urban spaces and suburban backyards. Some modern beekeepers are inspired by the desire to help out the frequently beleaguered creatures, others simply enjoy fresh honey from the most local of sources—the backyard garden. This multifaceted book discusses your options for setting up a hive almost anywhere, how to plant a bee-friendly garden, and how to harvest and use your very own honey. Not only is it a great hobby, you’ll also be rewarded with a plentiful supply of honey that you can use in tea as well as for cooking, baking, and perhaps even lip salve and skin cream. Everything the modern day beekeeper needs and more: -Becoming a Beekeeper -Setting Up Your Hive -Getting the Right Gear -Planting a Bee-Friendly Garden -Trouble-Shoot Your Hive -Harvest the Honey -Plan for the Winter The honeybee is one of our greatest natural resources; bees work hard to pollinate our gardens and do an important job that we couldn’t do without. But bees are finding it increasingly difficult in the world that they share with us. States are reporting a hive of activity in the “backyards” of rural and urban beekeepers. In fact, many states are beginning to alter preexisting ordinances in order to encourage more individuals to start beekeeping. No other hobby can simultaneously help save the world and bring sweet treats to your table!

Beekeeping requires understanding, commitment, and attention to detail. Laying the groundwork for a successful hive is essential, and demands a keen appreciation of critical areas like hive management, breed choice, and health requirements. Bees often disguise problems, though, making recognizing trouble in the crucial, initial stages that much more difficult. Whether you're a newcomer or an old hand, The Beekeeper's Problem Solver provides the information you need to nip problems in the bud, or avoid them in the first place. Author, experienced beekeeper, and apiary expect, James E. Tew, explains 100 common problems faced by beekeepers. He clearly spells out their underlying causes, and how to solve all of them. Each one is tackled in depth, with photographs and diagrams, as well as a wide range of practical tips and useful insights. Don’t lose your hive to something preventable, just grab your problem solver!

'A beautiful gift... Full of fascinating facts' Yorkshire Post 'We all want to help the beleaguered bee and Sally Coulthard's latest book is a great place to start' Amateur Gardening 'How to help bees thrive and give your garden a real buzz' You Magazine We need bees. These tiny, hardworking insects have transformed our lives with their quiet diligence; fertilizing the wild plants we rely on, and giving us thousands of years of sugary pleasure. But bees are in danger; across the planet, their numbers are plummeting. Sally Coulthard is here to share fifty ways we can all save bees. Whether you garden for bees, campaign for bees, or just learn a bit of bee-whispering, little things can make a big difference. Just ask a bee.

Takes you through the hive and explains what each beehive product is and how it is produced, its usefulness, and how it can be bought, prepared, stores, and used.