After years in decline, beekeeping is in vogue again. But, unlike keeping chickens, most experts warn that there is more to it than just buying a hive and a swarm; beekeeping is a delicate art, which, if done correctly, can bring you both honey and a good dose of tranquillity too.
Before you go any further, it's worth signing up for a one-day course in beekeeping. There are waiting lists for some of the courses run by the British Beekeepers Association. Urban Bees runs courses specially for city dwellers, and is the brainchild of Alison Benjamin and Brian McCallum, whose book Bees in the City is a must-read for aspiring beekeepers. The Soil Association and the Biodynamic Association also run courses.
The starting place for a beehive is the location – it's vital to find a spot which gives the bees a clear flight path up and out, and the mouth of the hive should face south-east, south or south-west. Make contact with your local beekeeping association and also let your neighbours know – if anyone in the vicinity is allergic to bee stings you may have to rethink, as bee stings can be fatal. But even if there are no allergy sufferers, be considerate and make sure that the flight path of the bees does not lie over your neighbour's garden. It's also worth registering with BeeBase (the Defra bee website) – it will send over a free bee inspector and tell you about local courses.
You will now need to invest in equipment. At its most basic, this includes a hive tool, a smoker, a feeder, a pair of gloves, a mask (or a whole protective suit) and, most importantly, the hive. There are all sorts of hives available, including the funky Beehaus which is made of plastic and comes in purple, white, pink or a whole rainbow of other colours. The WBC hive looks a little like a pagoda, with its rising terraces, and is a lovely ornament to a garden. Slightly more practical, however, is the National – it's less good-looking but easier to move and get around.
The next step is to find a swarm. You need to find a reputable supplier, and your local beekeeper's association may be able to help here. There are many different strains of honeybee, so do your research. Once you have the swarm, and have settled them in the hive, you have begun the life of a beekeeper. From here on, your main duties will be to make sure that the bees have enough food – particularly important in summer and once you have taken any of the honey out of the hive – and to keep an eye out for disease. They're not the most onerous of duties, but they need to be done with care and attention. And in between, as one bee website enthusiastically says: "If you're stressed after a hard day's work, sit and watch the hive entrance; it's very therapeutic and relaxing."
