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Beekeeping for Beginners |
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Honeybees make great teachers. In fact, we can all learn from
observing the workings of a beehive. Diligence, balance, self-sacrifice
and trust in nature are just a few of the lessons these insects
can teach us. They can also help us, not only through their
production of honey and beeswax, but by pollinating so many
of our crops.
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Insect pollination benefits everyone—from the backyard gardener
to the professional orchardist—by increasing food yields, often
significantly. Some of the food-bearing plants that benefit
from honeybee pollination are: |
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Tree fruits, such as apples, cherries, peaches, pears,
plums and almonds; |
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Berries, including blueberries, kiwis, cranberries and
raspberries; |
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Cucurbits, such as cucumbers, pumpkins, melons and squashes.* |
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Many people fear bees, as they do other stinging insects.
True, bees can sting—that's how they defend their colony. However,
honeybees are gentler than most people think. Usually, the hard-working
bees of a healthy hive are so intent on carrying out their tasks,
they hardly notice the beekeeper that has come to check on them.
The benefits of keeping bees—honey production, garden pollination
and an amazing education—can far outweigh the odd sting from
an overprotective bee. |
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A beekeeper opens a hive cover.
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Other Articles from this Issue |
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