Beekeeper's Journal

Kim Flottum (d. 2023) brought a rich background of plant science, honey bee research, and basic farming to his 30 years as the editor of Bee Culture magazine, where his main occupation was finding the answers to the multitude of questions that beginning, intermediate, and even advanced and experienced beekeepers bring to the table. He taught beginning and advanced beekeeping courses, traveled extensively to educate and lecture, and contributed to a variety of other publications on the basics of honey bees and beekeeping biology, the business of bees and pollination, producing and using varietal honeys, and a host of other subjects. He was the author of The Backyard Beekeeper, First Time Beekeeping, In Business with Bees, and Common Sense Natural Beekeeping. His books, magazine articles, interviews, and blogs are widely read for both their fundamental and advanced contribution to beekeeping knowledge. He was beekeeping’s leading advocate for fundamental honey bee safety, including ensuring excellent honey bee health, providing extraordinary forage, and minimizing the use of agricultural pesticides.

• Introduction How to Use This Book to Become a Better Beekeeper In the BeginningFor bees and beekeepers, the new year begins in late winter, as the days begin to warm and lengthen. Early spring is a reintroduction between bee and beekeeper. Why We Keep Bees Bees (and Beekeepers) in Winter Nourished by Honey Back to the Beeyard Spring: The World Wakes Up Observing Your Bees Spring Checklist Winter and Spring Recipes: Spiced Honey Tea Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding and Honey Cream Roast Spring Lamb Honey-Glazed Carrots Asparagus with Lemon-Honey Vinaigrette Growing UpThe late spring and summer months are the most active for the bees and their keepers, as the world beyond the hive blooms and the colonies begin to produce delicious honey. Knowing Your Bees Raising Gentle Bees Understanding Honey Production Mapping Your Garden Knowing the Beekeeper Natural Beekeepin Summer Checklist Summer Recipes: Honey-Ginger Lemonade Honey-Dill Potato Salad Honeyed Fruit Salad Settling InThe cooler days of fall bring the final honey harvest and then, a slowing of activity for the bees and the beekeeper. Both hope for a quiet, safe winter to prepare for the spring. The Honey Harvest The Beeswax Harvest Fall Checklist The Coming Winter Your Beekeeping Community Fall and Cosmetics Recipes: Infused Honey Baklava Honey Lip Balm Honey-Cucumber Skin Toner Beekeeper’s Wassail Conclusion A Beekeeper’s Reflections