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Plain Talk: Bare Bones Beekeeping
Episode 247
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew is joined by Jeff Ott (from Beekeeping Today Podcast) wrestle with the idea of bare bones beekeeping. After a few false starts with recording equipment, …
Published on 2 months, 1 week ago
Plain Talk: Mystery Swarm
Episode 246
In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew recounts an unexpected August swarm that turned a normal day into a beekeeping puzzle. What began as a routine check for a groundhog problem quickly spir…
Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago
August Winter Prep with Anne Frey
Episode 245
As summer winds down, Jim Tew sits down with fellow beekeeper Anne Frey to talk through what August reveals about colonies heading into winter. Their conversation explores the signs that point to how…
Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Late Season Swarms with Anne Frey
Episode 244
Late season swarms can puzzle even experienced beekeepers. In this episode, Jim Tew welcomes Anne Frey of Betterbee to explore why colonies sometimes issue swarms in August—or even September—long aft…
Published on 2 months, 4 weeks ago
Archive Replay - Removing Honey with Kim Flottum
Episode 243
When it comes time to remove honey from your colonies, the job can feel like one of the most physically demanding tasks of the beekeeping season. In this Honey Bee Obscura archive special from Septem…
Published on 3 months ago
Plain Talk: Bee Keeping vs Bee Tweaking
Episode 242
In this reflective episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew explores what it really means to call ourselves "beekeepers." After more than fifty years with bees, Jim questions whether we truly "keep" the…
Published on 3 months, 1 week ago
Plain Talk: About Honey Bee Feeders
Episode 241
In this week's episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew takes a thoughtful walk through history, sparked by a humble but enduring piece of equipment found in nearly every beekeeper's supply box—the Boar…
Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Plain Talk: Hidden Hives
Episode 240
In this reflective and personal episode, Jim Tew explores a question many beekeepers may not think much about—why are so many bee yards hidden from view? Fresh off a long solo road trip, Jim shares h…
Published on 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Reflecting on Spring Losses with Anne Frey
Episode 239
In this episode, Jim Tew welcomes back Anne Frey of Betterbee to unpack the troubling die-offs many beekeepers experienced this past winter and spring. From unexplained colony declines to puzzling sy…
Published on 4 months ago
Plain Talk: About Drone Layers
Episode 238
In this episode, Jim Tew shares a messy and mysterious beekeeping challenge that begins with two unrelated problems—a failing observation hive and a suspected drone-laying queen. The result is a tang…
Published on 4 months, 1 week ago