Biodynamic Beekeeping Resources:
(Honeybees)
Demeter Biodynamic Beekeeping Standards
Nine Lectures on Bees by Rudolf Steiner
Top Board Beekeeping the Biodynamic way:
Wonderful Biodynamic Resource! Gunter Hauk Workshops, Spikenard Farm
Nonbiodynamic Beekeeping Resources:
(Honeybees)
Hiving a top bar package in western NC
NCSU Extension Service Growing Small Farms Beekeeping Resource List _______________________________________________________________
Mason Bees (Solitary Native Pollinators)
Mason Bees are a wonderful, inexpensive way to introduce native pollinators to your niche. In the USA, be sure to acquire eastern or western strains of Mason bees.
Mason bees are very efficient pollinators, flying only about 300 feet in their foraging for food sources. They will fly in cooler, wet spring to summer conditions that will keep honeybees in their hives. Homes for Mason Bees can be a DIY ” build it and they will come” project, or they can be purchased.They are nonagressive, they will not normally sting, nor do they make honey. Attracting Mason Bees. Mason bee houses in the foothills of NC need to face east/southeast away from the prevailing Northwest winter winds.The spring Mason must also have a supply of clayey mud to use for chamber separation as she lays her eggs. Holes with diameters from 5-8mm in tubes about 6 inches long will provide nesting spots for a number of various solitary pollinators. This “build it and they will come” approach is also useful in seeing that the native pollinators in your area are not pushed out of their niches by the new species(purchased bees)
Although many example of using drilled wood for Mason bee homes exist, over time they are not a good idea for the health of your bees. To rid your bees of pests, houses should be designed so that the holes may be opened for yearly cleaning Paper tubes, reeds, wood trays are all great examples, but bamboo or drilled wood? Not such a good idea….
Spinkenard Honeybee Bee Sanctuary (Biodynamic ) recommends this perennial bee forage mixture: hairy mountain mint, lemon balm, oregano, rue, winter savory, calamintha, and blanketflower. This mix and lots of most excellent bee info is available at:
http://spikenardfarm.org/planting-high-quality-forage-for-the-bees
Lifeflowers Farm 