The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Bees & Beekeeping => Topic started by: bloomer on June 10, 2014, 02:01:09 pm
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i am in the process of booking myself on a beginners beekeeping course for this winter as i now have space for bee's, in the meantime can someone recommend a good beginners book to get me started?
i don't plan on getting a colony till spring 2015 but i like to read and might as well start learning...
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I'd recommend "Robbing the Bees" by Holley Bishop. It's not a text book - it's about Holley's journey to becoming a beekeeper (in the States). Lots of bee lore and snippets of information but will get you in bee mode :bee: :bee: :bee: :bee: :bee:
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ordered that one :-D
anyone suggest a good beginners how to guide etc.
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Hi,
You have the same plans as I have, learning this year, bees next year, I'm busy trying to establish as many bee friendly plants as I can this year.
The www.scottishbeekeepers.org.uk (http://www.scottishbeekeepers.org.uk) site has lots of info
Regards
Sue
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OH is secretary of the local bee club and their education officer suggests Haynes Bee Manual, complete step by step guide to keeping bees.
Ted Hoopers Guite to Bees and Honey is good and OH uses it as his bible, although sometimes a bit difficult for beginners.
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There's a very straight forward book called 'Bees at the bottom of the garden' which is very good as a beginner's guide.
Enjoy the adventure!
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I found the beekeeping for dummies quite good, a bit americanised mind.
Ted hoopers is good but not an easy read. The rest is all on the internet.
Most associations have libraries of some description so check that out as you may not need to buy a book. I also found the local library had a few books as well.
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Don't forget the bumbles will you bloomer :bee:. If you leave some patches of scruffy grass around for nesting, and don't turn your compost heap over without checking for nests, and grow all the flowers on my list which is coming along, then bumbles will be happy and look after themselves.
Good luck in your honey bee adventure :sunshine:
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the bumbles have several square miles of woodland :-) i have 20m x 20m to do as i please with... :-P
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Some suggestions here:
http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/books/category/bees/ (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/books/category/bees/)
I reviewed the Green Guide some time ago here:
http://revish.com/reviews/1847869858/danchamp/ (http://revish.com/reviews/1847869858/danchamp/)
HTH. :bee: :bee: :bee:
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i looked in the tas book library earlier and didn't know which to buy,
your review looks good i could be tempted :-)
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Bees At the Bottom of the Garden; basic and easy to follow.
And also Ted Hooper's guide; it has the answers to almost every question you could ask.
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I have several that were a great help to me when starting up and that I dip into when needing clarification. They are all currently packed up for move this weekend but next time you are over you can take them with you.
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Bees at the bottom of the garden - nice easy read. :thumbsup: Oh I do miss my bees, even after 10 years. Gave away all my kit after they nearly finished me off :o .
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I've got a few but the Haynes manual is the easiest to understand, I reckon. It also has brilliant photos which really helps. I do like Bees at the bottom of the garden which came recommended on my course but the photos and diagrams are not nearly as helpful as the Haynes and I don't find it quite as comprehensive. I read the Haynes first, understood parts of it, went on the course, went back to the book and it all made a whole lot more sense and also helped clarify the course.
H
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I keep the Haynes bee manual as my quick look up when I've forgotten something as it's concise and has lots of pictures to remind you. The one for teaching me is the Ted Hooper