I’m Paul Davidson, 7 years organic horticulturist, beekeeper and blog author where I share my knowledge and knowledge about bees.
I would like to tell you why putting a beehive in his garden is a lot of fun and benefits.
I’ve listed 12 good reasons that I hope will make you want to adopt these little critters into your home.
1 – Honey
Honey is of course the showpiece of the beehive and every year you fill a few jars with the best honey: that of your bees.
And what a joy to taste at harvest a fresh, non-centrifugated honey that is still rich in all these fragile flavors that quickly disappear. 20 kg per year is a general average for a beehive.
2 – Propolis
The bees collect small amounts of resin from the buds, which they mix with wax and use to plug small holes and disinfect their environment.
By collecting this propolis in the hive, you can treat your angina and other ENT problems of the winter.
3 – Pollen
Very fashionable as a “super nutrient”, we can “steal” a little from the bees returning to the hive for their own consumption.
However, be sure to leave them enough as it is vital for the larvae and young adults.
4 – Venom
For example, some people with multiple sclerosis have started beekeeping to “have” bees.
Their injection relieves the symptoms of these patients.
It’s a bit extreme, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, but it’s a growing practice.
5 – Pollination
In your garden, the presence of a single beehive can change many things because for many plants, production is directly linked to pollination.
Some studies even show that strawberries and apples (subjects) are larger and tastier when pollinated in large numbers by bees than when pollinated only by (truly) wild insects.
6 – Save the bees
Everyone is now aware of the decline of the so-called “domestic bees”. The reasons are many and the beekeepers also have their share of responsibility.
But by hosting a colony in your house that you’re going to take care of, that’s always one more hive than if you hadn’t done anything. And why not two hives next year. Then another with a friend to whom you have given a desire.
7 – Save the bees – bis.
Once you have bees, you just talk about beekeeping and you become even more sensitive to pesticides.
In this way you contribute even more to raising the awareness of your neighbours, friends, gardeners and even farmers. Organic is on the rise, but habits are hard to change. You can participate.
8 – Wash.
And yes, after the honey harvest we end up with a comb of empty cells, which we can give back to the bees (depending on the hive models), or keep to make candles, or include in recipes for “facial care” ointments , for example. There are many recipes on the net.
9 – A fascinating spectacle!
If, as with my first hive, you opt for a “beginner” hive with a window at the back, you can witness the incredible spectacle of bees building combs, storing pollen or even, whenever you want. patience at the birth of a bee emerging from its cell.
In addition, since the bees do not defend the back of the hive at all (while in front of the entrance the weather is not good if you can find them), I go there every day, without protection, and my children like to come with me .
10 – Homemade Gifts (And That Are Really Fun)
At a beehive we can of course offer jars of honey (in beautiful jars, with beautiful personalized labels, it’s all the rage) but also anti-throat spray with propolis (the recipe will be on my blog soon).
Or, of course, real beeswax candles: very rare.
11 – Be happy
Like all homemade productions, making your own honey (and propolis, wax, etc.) is very rewarding. And make you so happy.
In addition, it is a manual activity practiced outdoors: two of the best antidepressants… with music, hugs, chocolate and many others
12 – A small garden is enough
Bees cover a very large territory, about 3000 hectares, but it only takes a few square meters to set up a hive there.
You will find them more and more in the city. So get started. And do like me: buy a beehive for Christmas and a beekeeper outfit for your birthday.
Paul Davidson
