Interested in keeping bees, but not sure where to start? When you start researching this topic, the information can be overwhelming. Beekeepers never stop learning, but you have to start somewhere. This series is a gentle introduction which will set the beginner or novice backyard beekeeper up for success. Beekeeping is rewarding, somewhat addictive and can grow into a life-long passion.
The instructor is Gordon Mackay who has been keeping bees since the 1990’s. He was originally inspired by the incredible organizational skills and work ethic of bees when he was a horticultural student at Threave School of Gardening in southwest Scotland. Keeping bees has led to a strong desire to learn more and he has twice attended the beekeeping courses led by Andrew Abrahams at the Black Bee Sanctuary on Colonsay Island, Scotland.
Gordon hopes to share some of his enthusiasm and experience working with the bees. Along with being a beekeeper, Gordon is also an arborist and nurseryman, with a particular addiction to dwarf conifers and alpine plants.
Gordon will introduce participants to basic equipment, how to locate and set up a hive, purchasing and installing bees, bee castes, common issues like swarming, integrated pest management, products from the hive, winterizing and more.
There will be opportunities to ask questions and meet the other “newbees” in the class. This class will be part online, part in-person with a practical component where participants get to visit and view a working beehive.
To go on our interest and receive notifications when registrations open for this course, please add your name to the interest list.
