For the Bees: A Handbook for Happy Beekeeping

by Tara Dawn Chapman, Caroline Brown (illustrator)

A handbook for what to expect the first year of beekeeping and beyond.

The path to becoming a successful beekeeper begins with a deep understanding of the bees themselves. Taking both a holistic and practical approach, Tara Chapman, founder and operator of Austin’s beloved Two Hives Honey, begins with a primer on honey bee biology and nutrition as well as beehive architecture. (Did you ever wonder why honey combs are composed of tiny hexagons?) A little scientific knowledge goes a long a beekeeper who understands how these fascinating creatures work will be better equipped to recognize a particular colony’s needs, make sound decisions when the unexpected happens, and adapt their care regimen to changing conditions. Moving beyond the basics, Chapman shows potential beekeepers how to spot pests and diseases; manage swarms (those bees aren’t angry; they’re just looking for a good home); and, of course, how to harvest delicious homegrown honey.

Imbued with the joy of the beekeeping journey, For the Bees provides practical visual explanations through appealing illustrations, that, alongside Chapman’s own stories from the bee yard, share the charms of these essential insects.

272 pages, Paperback

Published November 5, 2024

Reviews

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I retired recently and am looking for hobbies to fill my time, and if gardening and beekeeping save me money at the grocery store that’s even better. This book was written by a beekeeper in Texas not that far from where I live so it was pretty relevant to me. My only issue is the book is pretty repetitive. I did learn a lot about bee hive health that I didn’t know, and my main would be contributing to the bee population rather than selling honey.

[Natashia Kleiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read great beekeeping beginner book.