Ep162 July Ramble–thoughts in the heat, fun letter, invitation for you

Today Episode:

• July bee yard update

• William's tips on honey harvest (see Williams letter here)

• Tip on making bee boxes last longer "painting with glue" — this whole presentation is well worth watching! ( YouTube Link)

• Invitation to see Julia Mahood present on drones (see below for info)

• Reminder to take care in the heat with electrolytes

• Thoughts on "Chasing Sourwood" and the impacts on stationary beekeepers (AR apiary law. See section 3B for the provision I mention.)

See LINKS and a copy of Williams letter here! (free and available to everyone)

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July 28, 2026

July Monthly With Guest Speaker Julia Mahood / ToeCane Beekeepers

Julia Mahood is a Georgia Master Crafts Beekeeper who has been keeping bees since 2004. She is currently president of the Georgia Beekeepers Association.  She will discuss honey bee drone behavior, drone congregation areas, and why drones matter. Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. with official business starting at 6:30. Meetings are held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 15 Hemlock Ave., Spruce Pine NC 28777.

Beekeeping at Five Apple — talk, tips, and how-to on sustainable beekeeping from the Blue Ridge mountains of Southern Appalachia.

Host Leigh Wilkerson brings sixteen years of hands-on experience from her self-sustaining apiary since 2010. The podcast explores colony health, natural bee biology, and organic to chemical-free approaches. Episodes go deep on seasonal management, swarm control, queen rearing, hive biology, nutrition, and sustainable genetics. Designed for beekeepers ready to go beyond the basics, with episodes for newer beekeepers too.

Leigh is a popular Zoom presenter for bee clubs and associations. Topics include specialty splits so you never buy a package again; requeening approaches; simple frame-based queen rearing; building VSH genetics in your yard; and topics by request.