A natural perspective to beekeeping

Tim Field explains what Daylesford Farm is doing to help bees.

• At the end of May/beginning of June the bees start to swarm, and at Daylesford they are allowed to do this naturally; the queens do not have their wings clipped.  
• The bees are kept as naturally as possible to try and obtain a population that is suited to the land.
• At Daylesford, they have chosen to use WBC beehives, which provide good insulation for the bees to keep them warm over the winter months. 
• Managing the environment around the bees is important. At Daylesford, wildflower meadows, sainfoin crops, hedgerows and woodland all act as fantastic sources of forage throughout the year; from snow drops at the start of the season to ivy at the end. 
• Tim follows direction from Bees for Development and use their resources when in need of information/advice about beekeeping.  

Tim Field is Environmental Surveyor at Daylesford and is a member of the Agricology Executive Board.

As Tim mentions, you can find some of the Bees for Development resources on Agricology, have a look at:

• Beekeeping and sustainability
• The importance of bees and other insect pollinators
• Land management to support bees and other insect pollinators
• Plants that are valuable for bees and other insect pollinators
• Also see Dr Nicola Bradbear’s recent blog ‘Hedgerows need to flower‘ which provides some invaluable guidance on best practice hedgerow management.

(Editor’s Note)

Associated Agricology Partner Organisation(s):