Beekeeping is a fascinating and rewarding endeavor, but for beginners, it can be challenging to know where to start. On this episode of Two River TV, Jon Peters visits Birds and Bees Farm in Columbus, NJ, to learn about beekeeping from the experts. With the guidance of experienced beekeepers, Jon explores the best ways to start a hive, from catching swarms to purchasing bee nucs.
What is a bee nuc?
A bee nuc (short for nucleus colony) is a small, established colony of bees that typically contains five frames of honeycomb with a mated queen, worker bees, brood (developing bees), and stored food (honey and pollen).
Nucs are a great way to start a beehive because they already have an active, functioning colony with a built comb, which helps the bees grow quickly compared to starting from a bee package. They’re often sold in a temporary transport box and transferred into a full hive once brought home.
How to Get Started with Beekeeping
Jon breaks down three common ways to start a beehive:
- Catching a Swarm – If you’re comfortable around bees and find a swarm, you can transfer them into a hive. This method requires experience and patience.
- Buying a Bee Package – This consists of a screened cage containing about 10,000 bees, a feeding can of sugar water, and a separate queen cage with a candy plug. Once introduced into a hive, the queen is slowly released as the bees eat through the candy plug.
- Purchasing a Nuc (Nucleus Colony) – This is the most convenient way to start. A nuc contains five frames with an established queen, worker bees, brood, and already-built comb. This jump-starts the hive’s development.
For this year’s hives, Jon and his team are opting for nucs, a proven method for quickly establishing a healthy colony.
Picking Up the Nucs at Birds and Bees Farm
Jon and his beekeeping partner, Mike, travel to Birds and Bees Farm in Columbus, NJ, to pick up their six nucs. They schedule their trip for the evening when temperatures are cooler, and all the forager bees have returned to the hive, ensuring they take as many bees as possible back home.
At the farm, Rocky and Debbie, the owners of Birds and Bees Farm, introduce them to their Jersey-bred queens, known for their gentle temperament. With years of experience in beekeeping, Rocky and Debbie emphasize the importance of breeding for calm, manageable colonies.
Inside a Nucleus Colony
Rocky gives Jon and Mike a closer look at what makes a strong nuc. The frames inside are teeming with worker bees, brood, pollen stores, and a thriving queen. They inspect frames filled with capped brood and fresh eggs, signs of a healthy and productive colony. The excitement builds as they spot the queen—a vital part of ensuring the hive’s future growth.
Building Strong Colonies for the Honey Flow
After carefully transporting the nucs home and transferring them into larger hives, Jon and Mike monitor their progress. Over six weeks, the colonies grow strong, and the time comes to prepare for the honey flow of late summer and fall. By adding honey supers, they give the bees more space to store nectar, which will soon be turned into delicious honey.
During a hive check, Jon and Mike find tons of honey and a healthy brood pattern, indicating a successful start. They anticipate harvesting hundreds of pounds of honey in the coming months!
Looking Ahead: The Honey Harvest
Jon plans to document the honey harvest from mid-September to early October, capturing the rewarding process of collecting golden honey from their thriving colonies. Stay tuned for updates on Two River TV’s Instagram and Facebook, where Jon will share behind-the-scenes footage and insights from the beekeeping journey.
Visit Birds and Bees Farm & E&M Gold Beekeepers
If you’re interested in starting your own hive or want to learn more about beekeeping, be sure to check out Birds and Bees Farm and E&M Gold Beekeepers:
- Birds and Bees Farm – Facebook | (609) 346-4192 | birdsandbeesfarm.com
- E&M Gold Beekeepers – emgoldbeekeepers.com
Special Thanks to Mountain Khakis
This episode is sponsored by Mountain Khakis – Work Hard, Play Harder. For durable, adventure-ready apparel, check out mountainkhakis.com.
Beekeeping is a rewarding journey, and with expert guidance from experienced beekeepers, anyone can get started. Whether you’re looking to produce your own honey or support pollinators in your backyard, there’s no better time to begin your beekeeping adventure!
Stay tuned for the next episode of Two River TV, where we’ll continue exploring the world of beekeeping and beyond.
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