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Plain Talk: A Fall Hive Check
Episode 257
In this Plain Talk episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew heads out to the bee yard for a quiet, reflective fall inspection. As the days shorten and the goldenrod fades, Jim shares what he looks for w…
Published on 8 hours ago
Spring Prep Now with Anne Frey
Episode 256
Winter may have a firm grip on the landscape, but beekeepers can still get ready for the season ahead. In this Honey Bee Obscura episode, Jim Tew sits down with Anne Frey of Betterbee to talk about h…
Published on 1 week ago
Beekeeping Efficiency with Anne Frey
Episode 255
What does "efficiency" really mean in beekeeping—and can it go too far? In this Honey Bee Obscura episode, Jim Tew welcomes back Anne Frey of Betterbee for a lively, down-to-earth talk about working …
Published on 2 weeks ago
Plain Talk: The Smoked Beekeeper (254)
Episode 254
Jim Tew is back from a long drive through Michigan's autumn beauty—and while the leaves have changed, his thoughts haven't strayed far from bees or smoke. In this week's Honey Bee Obscura, Jim explor…
Published on 3 weeks ago
Plain Talk: The Traveling Beekeeper
Episode 253
In this reflective episode, Jim Tew takes listeners on a journey through his years as a traveling beekeeper, visiting apiaries and researchers around the world. From the early days of Africanized "ki…
Published on 4 weeks ago
Plain Talk: Trusting Your Gut
Episode 252
In this Plain Talk episode, Jim Tew reflects on one of beekeeping's most underrated tools—instinct. Beekeepers make hundreds of small decisions in the apiary, many of them guided by experience and th…
Published on 1 month ago
Archive Special: Preparing for Winter
Episode 251
In this Archive Special from October 2021, we revisit a conversation with the late Kim Flottum and Jim Tew as they discuss the many ways beekeepers prepare colonies for the cold months ahead. From si…
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago
Plain Talk: Last Chance Winter Prep
Episode 250
This milestone episode marks 250 installments of Honey Bee Obscura. Jim reflects on more than 5,000 minutes of plain talk beekeeping, the early days recording with the late Kim Flottum, and the ongoi…
Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Plain Talk: The Sting of Fall Honey
Episode 249
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew explores the challenges of fall honey and testy bees during the autumn flow. What begins as a calm reflection on goldenrod and fall asters quickly turns …
Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago
Plain Talk: Old Beekeeping Books
Episode 248
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew shares his fascination with old beekeeping books, particularly a rare two-volume set titled Beekeeping, New and Old: Described with Pen and Camera by W. …
Published on 2 months ago