Keeping bees A BEGINNER'S GUIDE

Beekeeper and founder of Buzz Box Mark Meadows introduces the world of beekeeping for all to enjoy

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Beekeeping has been around for centuries, and we understand just how vital this remarkable yet vulnerable keystone species is to biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. Without honeybees vast landscapes of flowering plants would vanish, taking with them a significant portion of our food supply. The loss of bee-pollinated plants would also disrupt ecosystems, eliminating crucial habitats and putting many other species at risk.

Unfortunately, honeybee colonies are facing increasing threats including habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate change, biodiversity decline and even invasive predators like the varroa mite in the 1990s and, more recently, the yellow-legged hornet (also known as the Asian hornet) - all challenges brought on by human activity.

The good news? There are plenty of ways to support these fuzzy little pollinators! Planting a diverse selection of pollinator-friendly flowers and shrubs, participating in No Mow May and avoiding pesticides and herbicides all make a difference. And if you want to take a more hands-on approach, you can take up a position on the front lines and become a beekeeper, providing a safe place for a hive of your own.

As much as we've tried we've been unable to domesticate honeybees in the way that we have with horses, chickens and sheep. They remain wild animals and are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. Bees don't need constant supervision, unless the goal is to generate a large crop of honey each season. The range of approaches to hive management varies from completely hands off and leaving the bees to do their own thing, often for years at a time, to the fully managed BBKA (British Beekeepers Association) prescribed method which is widely considered the best and most responsible way to keep bees.

Gardening, veg growing and beekeeping share a symbiotic relationship and are very much seasonal activities.