I was so thrilled because my brother Barry decided that he wants to keep bees. He came to Atlanta for the Short Course in January and went home and ordered equipment. He knows a commercial beekeeper in Natchez, MS where he lives and is getting bees from that man.
I went to Natchez this past weekend to help Barry put his equipment together. I had a great time and didn't take nearly enough pictures, but here's an overview.
We built and painted ten medium hive boxes. I took him two deeps because I believe the man from whom he is getting the bees will be expecting him to have deeps and not medium boxes. So we painted those as well. We also painted screened bottom boards, slatted racks, telescoping covers.
Barry single-handedly built 79 frames (one of the 80 broke!) The Walter Kelley jig for frame assembly is a convenience that I never want to be without. It was so much more efficient to build frames with this jig. Took a little getting used to - we goofed twice and had to take the frames apart to get them out of the jig. Barry became a master of the jig, though, in the end.
We then put wax foundation in all his frames and I set up the two basic hive boxes to show him how to do it. I also showed him how to hang the frame rack on the side, how to remove the second or seventh frame when you first open the box.
He had fun the whole time, but he really smiled when I showed him how to light the smoker.
I hope he will love the bees the way I do and will get into the zen of beekeeping!
Aww how sweet! I hope he loves it too :)
ReplyDeleteOK, OK, OK, super
ReplyDeletehttp://picasaweb.google.sk/milan.bencur/FotoPripravkuNaZbijanieRamikov#
Yea! That's great, the world needs more beekeepers.
ReplyDeleteWow that's great Linda - Is he starting a blog too ?
ReplyDeleteNo way! That's awesome. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful hobby to share with your brother. He is lucky to have such a wonderful mentor as yourself.
ReplyDeleteHave fun
Sincerely
Annette From Placerville California
Oh,yes. It is wonderful to share ...
ReplyDeleteRoger Morse did. Please, read his book on beekeeping.
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ReplyDeletei got my brother in to beekeeping last year. It's been fun to have someone to share the process with.
ReplyDeleteBarry -- This is Ginger Peabody. It's fun to see you on Linda's blog, where I lurk and learn a lot. My bees, now in their third year, are not doing so well, but I'm plugging away. Linda, I have had such a lot of enjoyment sharing your beekeeping experiences.
ReplyDeleteHi Ginger! Where are you? Maine? Your bees have a challenge. I forwarded this post to Barry so he'll see it. Hope you have a good bee year.
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