Author Archives: Nathan

Queens emerge as early as 10 days after the hive is split

I checked my hives 7 days after making splits into 4 frame nuc hives, and was pleased to see the bees doing what they ought to be doing–making queens. Continue reading

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Compost grown radishes

This spring we made a major shift in our approach to gardening, and replaced our front lawn with beds for the garden. Continue reading

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Lacto-fermented ginger ale

It has a good strong ginger bite to it, and I really enjoy a glass before meals. The bubbles are fun, the taste is great, and the ginger & enzymes help get the digestive juices going! Continue reading

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Delicious Kombucha

It’s full of B-complex vitamin, is slightly fizzy, and has a refreshing bite to it when it is done well. It usually goes pretty fast, so I make about 2 gallons at a time. Continue reading

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Grass fed candles

Yesterday I gave it a try, and made a small pot of wax out of 2 parts tallow and 1 part beeswax. Continue reading

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Honeybee journal entry

Here is what I found in today’s inspection: Tango hive:  (new top bar hive) Humid inside!  I need to drill some ventilation holes in the bottom, and maybe another entrance hole.  There is comb drawn on 7 bars, 5 of … Continue reading

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Chicken tractors for ducks

Our current design for portable pens Continue reading

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Goslings spotted today!

Three bright, neon-green goslings had climbed on top of their mom who was still sitting on the nest. It takes 31 days for goose eggs to hatch, and there they were. Continue reading

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Splitting the beehive

My goal has been to keep about 6 beehives.  Last year I started with 2, ended with 1, and learned a ton about beekeeping.  That one hive is doing great, and there’s still about 3-4 weeks left on the major … Continue reading

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Exploding population in the beehive

Yesterday afternoon, I inspected my beehive. The maple trees have been in full bloom for the past few weeks, and the bees have definitely made the most of it. Continue reading

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