Self-Sufficiency: Beekeeping (IMM Lifestyle Books) Definitive Guide to Keeping Bees: Management, Control, & Learning to Understand the Honey Bee, plus Tools, Equipment, Harvesting Advice, and Recipes

by Joanna Ryde

Beekeeping is about management, control and learning to understand the honeybee. It can also become a very enjoyable and sociable pastime - visiting others' hives and picking up vital hints and tips is all part of the fun - and farming and eating honey that your own bees have produced is a pure delight. Joanna Ryde covers all aspects of beekeeping, from the basic tools and equipment needed for setting up a hive to detailed advice on when to harvest honey and honey-inspired recipes, from delicious cakes to beauty products. This really is the definitive guide for anyone thinking of keeping bees.

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2009

Reviews

[Carol Farrington · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not realize this book was from the UK. The problems were at times I was unfamiliar with the words used and at other times the references did not apply as I am living in the US. It provided some information for starting beekeeping however it left a lot unanswered. One way to improve this would be to supply pictures of bees being fed to become queens versus the drones. I understood the descriptions but would have no idea of what I am looking at concerning the different types. Pictures to help identify and compare the queen, drones and worker bees would also be helpful. What I mainly got out of this book was find an association, take classes and find someone experienced to act as a mentor. It made me feel that it would be best to follow the mentor for at least a year with their apiary and all the checks and processes before taking on this hobby.

[Judy Sim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beekeeper book to reinforce knowledge. Will loan out to beekeeper friends!

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. A bit overwhelming for a newbie like myself, but certainly a book I’m glad to have on the shelf.

[Tahlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and to the point. Helpful book to have on the shelf for when I eventually get around to beekeeping one day.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introductory book on how to get started with beekeeping. It discusses and explains the different tools necessary although the hand-drawn pictures sometimes make it difficult to understand how something works for someone who has no experience whatsoever. I did love how quaint everything was and it definitely furthered my interest. It makes for a great present for someone who's considering starting their own hive but not the only material to be used if the person is serious.