The Ecological Landscape Professional by Erik Ohlsen Core Concepts for Integrating the best practices of Permaculture, Landscape Design, and Environmental Restoration into Professional Practice Have you ever wondered, “Is this the right book for me?” What if it isn’t the one that answers the questions you have? What if it does? I am going to…
Category: Permaculture
Keeping bees would not be complete without learning how to improve our environment for them and as a result, for us as well. Permaculture focuses on management systems that affect the greater whole. Welcome to Sustainable Beekeeping!
The 7 Methods of Minimal Disturbance
Recently, I’ve been rethinking my beekeeping practices. The principles behind Warré beehives have forced me to think of the relationship and ethical principles I have with my bees as their Keeper in a whole new light. Don’t get me wrong; I have always sought to create a better way to keep healthy bees. But lately…
To save the Bees: we must first save the Wildflowers
In 1940, the Protection Act passed for the Bald and Golden Eagles. These skyward scavengers suffered from DDT exposure which affected their eggs in a very bad way. Although they are no longer on the endangered species list, they will be forever protected. What will it take to protect the honey bee? I believe we…
Teach children the Way of the Bee
If you have not heard the latest then here it is- there’s a new children’s picture book coming out soon! April 8th in fact and it’s not just any picture book for children; it’s a book for each parent that reads it as well. That’s right, it’s something that we can all learn from; and…
Honey bees up close: Macro Photography
I have never considered photography as a thing for me. When it comes to artwork, I usually prefer mediums like graphite, oil paint, or even watercolor. And though I still like all of those things, I’m finding that my love for honey bees and honey bee forage plants have combined to make a superpower: Honey…
Persimmons and Hazelnuts: Bigger is Better when it comes to pollination.
We’ve all heard that bigger is better. Well, sometimes it is. Bigger fruit, bigger nuts, better crops. When my wife and I bought our Georgia mountain property, one of the first things we found was that there were Persimmon trees everywhere! A few years later we found Hazelnut trees here and there. We didn’t have…
Paint your Beehives with the Best, non-toxic paint
When I was in commercial beekeeping, each year brought with it the chores of building new hive bodies and honey supers. I watched as each new box was dipped in a copper solution mixed with paint thinner. After the boxes were drip-dry, each one had to be painted with an outdoor latex-based paint on the…
One-Up your Beekeeping Game: learn what’s blooming
Do you know what honey bee forage is available in your area? One thing I believe that all beekeepers can agree on is the excitement we feel when the spring season begins. We love to see that our little bees are ‘waking up’ and venturing out after so many months. OH! And they’re bringing in…