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Beginner’s Guide To Keeping Bees

Ever thought of keeping bees in your homestead? Whether you’re a hobby farmer, backyard beekeeper, or a homesteader wanting to begin a small business, it’s pretty easy to learn the buzz on bees. Read on and I’ll teach you the basics I’ve followed when I was just getting started with beekeeping.

Getting Started With Keeping Bees In Your Homestead

Keeping bees goes through the popularity with times. And in case you haven’t noticed, keeping bees is the “in” thing to do. I still remember how anxious and nervous I was when I started keeping bees. However, as time flew by, it got easier and fun to deal with. Collecting honey has become one of my favorite tasks here in my homestead. And of course, I don’t want you to miss anything because keeping bees is truly rewarding. Before getting started, consider reading this whole post to have an insight and a bit of inspiration.

1. Learn All About Bees

Learn All About Bees | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees
image via homesteading

It is essential that before getting your bees, you study all about them. There are plenty of keeping bees’ books around and getting to know these sweet insects can provide vital help to get started with your hives. Read and study as much as your time allows and once your bees arrive, you’ll be up and ready to keep your bees.

2. Understand How Bees Make Honey

Understand How Bees Make Honey | Beginner's Guide To Keeping BeesUnderstand How Bees Make Honey | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees
image via statesymbolsusa

Since honey is the main produce of bees, it is important you understand how bees make honey so you’ll be able to provide them the exact nourishment they need to produce only the best honey. Knowing exactly how a beehive works and what the bees do is essential. Bees create nests in nature, travel to blooms and draw nectars. They then take the nectar to the hive and comb, where it gradually gets to becomes honey.

3. Associate With Your Local Beekeeping Organizations

Associate With Your Local Beekeeping Organizations | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees Associate With Your Local Beekeeping Organizations | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees
image via wasba

In beekeeping, a couple of subtle elements can be particular to your area. The nature of keeping bees implies that you’ll be successful if you have a solid local resource to draw on — somebody who can come to check your hive or help you with everything. Connect and locate your local beekeeping associations. Attend gatherings. There are few associations who offer mentors, who can be priceless in helping you in your first season.

4. Set Up Your Beehive

Set Up Your Beehive | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees Set Up Your Beehive | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees
image via thisiscolossal

Learn how to set up your beehive. In keeping bees, you’ll require a beehive. In nature, bees create their own hive, normally in an empty tree trunk or other protected areas, yet it can be anywhere. For a backyard beekeeper, like me, you’ll need to create a man-made hive in order for you to help your bees maintain the colony and easily gather the honey.

5. Know The Month-by-Month Tasks Of Keeping Bees

Know The Month-by-Month Tasks Of Keeping Bees | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees Know The Month-by-Month Tasks Of Keeping Bees | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees
image via hobbyfarms

What is included in dealing with keeping bees? The same with gardening, keeping bees’ tasks are separated each month or season. The perfect time to begin your hive is during spring so that the colony of bees you start with has room to build-up. Lay brood (infant honey bees), an increment in number, and store honey before the winter sets in.

6. Gather Your Beekeeping Supplies

Gather Your Beekeeping Supplies | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees Gather Your Beekeeping Supplies | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees
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What do you require to begin with keeping bees? Find out the important supplies and what you can manage without for the time being. Keep in mind: begin little, so you can have room for adjustments if you need some improvements or if you change your mind later.

7. Purchase Your Honey Bees

Purchase Your Honey Bees | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees Purchase Your Honey Bees | Beginner's Guide To Keeping Bees
image via amesfarm

Now that you have more knowledge on keeping bees and have gathered your beekeeping supplies, it’s now time to purchase your bees! To purchase a honey bee, you can choose between a “package bees” and a queen, or a nuc colony. A nuc colony is a set of bees that has a queen who has already started to laying brood. It is more establish and can provide your hive a head start.

Need more tips on getting started with keeping bees? Check out this video from BrushyMtnBeeFarm:

There you have it, my fellow homesteaders, that’s how easy it is to get started with keeping bees. Keeping bees is a wonderfully rewarding and relaxing pastime. It does not consume much of your time nor breaks your bank in the process. The taste and health benefits of natural honey, plus the relaxing factor on caring for your own bee colony is all worth your effort. So what’s stopping you from becoming a beekeeper?

Have you found some inspiration to get started with keeping bees? I’m excited to know! Let me know in the comment section below.

Want to try keeping bees but space is a problem? Solve that issue with this DIY Mason Jar Beekeeping!

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Self Sufficiency

NYC Adds Nearly 4,000 People Who Never Tested Positive To Coronavirus Death Tolls

New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll Tuesday, bringing coronavirus-related deaths in the city to around 10,000 people.

The city decided to add 3,700 people to its death tolls, who they “presumed” to have died from the virus, according to a report from The New York Times. The additions increased the death toll in the U.S. by 17%, according to the Times report, and included people who were suffering from symptoms of the virus, such as intense coughing and a fever.

The report stated that Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio decided over the weekend to change the way the city is counting deaths.

“In the heat of battle, our primary focus has been on saving lives,” de Blasio press secretary Freddi Goldstein told the Times.“As soon as the issue was raised, the mayor immediately moved to release the data.”

The post New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll appeared first on Daily Caller

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Self Sufficiency

How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar

The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!

This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.

So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?

RELATED: How To Make Buttermilk On Your Homestead

Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know

Why Make Sauerkraut?

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Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.

So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.

Ingredients:

  • 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
  • 1 tablespoon of salt

Tools Needed:

  • knife
  • bowl
  • mason jar
  • smaller jar
  • rubber band

Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients



Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.

You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.

Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.

Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips



Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.

Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt



Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.

TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.

RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe

Step 4: Massage the Cabbage



Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.

TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.

Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar



Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.

IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.

Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar



You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.

Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.

Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band



Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.

Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily

Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.

Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures

Homemade Sauerkraut Cumin Juniper | How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar

After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.

NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.

You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.

Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut

  • Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
  • Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
  • Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
  • If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.

Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!

So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.

What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!

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Self Sufficiency

9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN

Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!

RELATED: Microgreens Growing Guide

In this article:

  1. Tomato
  2. Eggplant
  3. Beet
  4. Spinach
  5. Pea
  6. Carrot
  7. Radish
  8. Cauliflower
  9. Asparagus

Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!

Tomato

Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.

Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.

Eggplant

Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?

Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.

Beets

Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.

If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.

Spinach

Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!

Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.

Pea

Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.

Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.

Carrot

There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.

They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.

Radish

A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.

Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.

Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.

Asparagus

Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!

Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.

All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!

So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!

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