Honey bees are a wonderful addition to any garden. They remind us over and over that flowers and bees are dependent on each other for their survival But beyond that, honey bees have a magical quality to them that seems to charm and enthrall all those that keep them in their backyard gardens!
Instructor and Northeast Portland beekeeper Glen Andresen will take you through the basics of backyard beekeeping using only gentle and organic techniques, which leads to less-stressed—and easier to handle—bees! Topics include basic equipment (including the pros and cons of both Langstroth and top-bar hives), sources for bees, what to look for inside the colony, handling swarms, good nectar producing plants, hive maintenance, retrieving honey and beeswax, over-wintering, and pests and diseases. The class includes a three-hour classroom lecture and a one-hour field trip to Glen’s apiary in Northeast Portland for a hands-on opportunity.