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I always kept some of my last years honey to seed. Never risked anyone else’s just in case. When you have a good seed of your own keep some back.

I agree with most of the earlier posts especially the genetics one, however washing my bee outfit in a certain washing powder caused me a similar problem years ago and it took me ages to fathom it out. Try new washing powder and see what happens, if unchanged go for requeending. Best of luck!

Plums are in full bloom here with Greengage and Pears close to opening, I am worried a late frost might put paid to the Blossom. Bees working away on Rosemary, late Snowdrops, Hyacinth, Scilla, willow, Gorse however, not yet seen any Dandelion yet but plenty Ribes (Flowering current).

I would say Teasel, wonderful for Birds as well as Bees.

Word of mouth information is how I began 36 years ago, and Ted Hooper was recommended to read, it did not do me any harm therefore I cannot decry the book. Once I got seriously going I made my own decisions who to read or follow.

Welcome Carl I am from Moray just along the coast about 50 miles from your new home. Make enquiries about Beekeepers locally and join your nearest Association as they will advise you on anything you want to know and also buying Bees in the locality. A Guide to Bees & Honey by Ted Hopper would...

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I love my garden too and find Autumn sown veg really good up here under a cloche. Broad Beans, Artic King Lettuce, garlic excellent, peas do well also. Love phacellia for Nitrogen replacement and also Bee flowers. My mixed Brassicas do well in a green tunnel which keeps hungry Birds away.

I think Teasle, great for attracting Goldfinches as well as Bees.

The Dorothy Hodges book ‘The Pollen Loads of the Honeybee’ is my reference when in doubt. Published originally in 1952 then again in 1964 and 1974. The great thing about identifying pollen is you have an idea where they are sourcing their loads of both pollen and nectar, which is very...

My Glen looked like the one in Peggy Logan’s photo and it was on a stand, taking 15 Frames. It was made way before 1950’s so that is wrong, probably more 20’s/30’s like. Gentleman who gave me hive said he used to take it up to Heather, imagine the weight of such a transportation!

Looks like it could be a Glen Hive, WBC is a smaller version, with its straw winter protective cover on.

Crumbs! We were at 16 deg today here in the NE of Scotland, heavy cloud but fair.

I let my Nuc’s expand nicely then when a flow is imminent I give them small 12 section crates which were made for them, start them without queen excluder (although sometimes she comes up and this backfires). When they are pulling the Wax nicely I reintroduce Queen Ex. Always keep them warm on...

Sorry old age catches up!

Yes just ask me will try my best to answer.

Old book from 40’s obtainable as reprint.

Yes plastic rounds are very expensive to set up and replacement of spares are expensive when you come to work out selling price. The bees more readily accept these because it is more like wild comb working where the square is foreign to hexagon. Some beekeepers paint a little molten beeswax in...

Incidentally he is the old Smith of the Smith Hive.

The Art of Section honey was passed on by older Beekeeers long ago. Sections are colder for Bees to work on, therefore you require more bees and a new Queen so swarming can be averted. Willie Smith’s “Art of Beekeeping” is the answer.