Behind the jar

Inside the apiary

Twelve hives, four seasons, one small family of beekeepers — here's how a year on our patch unfolds.

Seasons, forage and visiting our apiary

Hives wake up. We check each colony for a healthy queen and add space as the brood nest grows. The first dandelions and willow bring in early pollen.

Peak forage. Bees work meadows, hedgerows and the lime trees in the village. Most of our wildflower honey comes off the hives in late July.

A handful of hives go up onto the moors for heather. The rest get a final health check and are tucked up with plenty of honey for the winter ahead.

The bees cluster, we leave them be. Quiet jobs: making frames, dipping candles, designing labels, dreaming up the year ahead.

Within a 3-mile radius: garden flowers, oilseed rape margins (we avoid the sprayed centres), brambles, lime, clover and late-summer heather.

We love showing people the hives. Get in touch and we'll set up a quiet morning — suits and smokers provided.