"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Friday, 8 March 2013

Bees first, honey second...

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When this arrived I was excited - not because I keep bees - but because for once the focus was on the bees, not on what we can obtain directly from them in the form of their honey.
Photo source:
http://milkwood.net/2013/03/05/the-sun-hive -experiments-in-natural-beekeeping/
We all know where we would be without the bees...
Photo source:
http://milkwood.net/2013/03/05/the-sun-hive-experiments-in-natural- beekeeping/
... and to make a hive that is so beautiful...
Photo source:
http://milkwood.net/2013/03/05/the-sun-hive- experiments-in-natural-beekeeping/
... and so similar to a natural bee hive, is brilliant, I reckon :)

 And I just love the fact that the hives are woven.  Naturally, they'd need to be protected somewhat from the damp, otherwise I could forsee their falling apart pretty quickly.

 But - going more natural - in all things.  Perfect, I reckon :)

 And all it took was some lateral thought LOL
Posted by Dani at 13:07:00
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8 comments:

  1. DFW8 March 2013 at 20:44

    That's a beautiful hive! And I love this idea. Wonder if they would work in our neck of the woods. Are you going to order one?

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    Replies
    1. Dani9 March 2013 at 12:58

      DFW - Nope, don't think I will. I know of at least two "neighbours" who probably have 14 - 16 hives between them, so reckon there could be enough in our immediate area :)

      Delete
  2. 1st Man9 March 2013 at 07:41

    I think that is so beautiful! I've never see anything like that? It's so humid here I'd worry about it holding up over the long term but I've wanted bees so bad and that's just stunning. Heck, it be a beautiful work of art all on it's own. Thanks for the info. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Dani9 March 2013 at 12:59

      1st Man - I loved it for it's aesthetic value too - absolutely stunning :)

      Delete
  3. JaneofVirginia10 March 2013 at 18:43

    I keep reading of CCD or colony collapse disorder. I am happy to say that although we do not keep bees here, that many people locally do. I do buy local honey also. I am very appreciative of the bees and we work hard never to use insecticides because they inadvertently damage populations of bees. Instead we use IPM or Integrated Pest Management techniques, which of course, vary all over the country and the world, depending upon where you are. For example, we buy ladybugs (or ladybirds if you are in the UK) and liberate them at sundown. They following year, they eat a sufficient number of the tick eggs to decrease the adult form of these insects substantially.
    Thanks for your great post, Dani !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dani11 March 2013 at 12:10

      Jane - Ladybirds - how clever. I never knew that you could buy them - by the thousands?

      "Liberating at sunset" - literally - open the container and let them go? Won't most of them fly off to far off places? And what time of the year do you "liberate" them?

      Please - would love any info you have... :)

      Delete
    2. cavereweb19 March 2013 at 00:02

      Hi Dani. These guys, http://www.duroibugs.co.za, supply them. By the thousands, yes. We use the ladybirds and the wasps to control mealybug in our vineyard.

      Delete
    3. Dani19 March 2013 at 15:32

      cavereweb - You're a star. Thank you very much :)

      Delete

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