Welcome to theHive

Field notes, stories, and seasonal observations from Backyard Bees

The Hive is where the quieter side of Backyard Bees lives — field notes from the bee yard, reflections on place and season, stories from books, gardens, shoreline walks, and the everyday wonder of paying attention.

There’s always a story to tell. The best ones drift beyond my little hive—into the wide, wild, buzzing world. They’re stories of small wonders—things that surprise, inspire, and linger with the Queen Bee… and maybe with you, too.

New This Week

Explore The Hive

Recurring series and collections—follow a trail, discover a favorite, or simply wander through The Hive.

Walk with a Beekeeper

Looking beyond the hive to the parks, trails, and neighborhoods that help pollinators thrive.

Farmers Market Report

Seasonal notes from the market—what’s growing, who’s there, and what’s happening each week.

Market Conversations

Questions, stories, and unexpected moments from behind the Backyard Bees market table.

The Beekeeper Noticed

Small observations from the bee yard, the garden, and everyday life that grow into bigger stories.

Beehind the Scenes

The story behind each product—from first idea to ingredients, experiments, and finished recipe.

Recent Stories From The Hive

The newest stories from the bee yard, gardens, markets, books, and beyond.

Handmade soap saver bag with Dandelion Poppy soap at the Backyard Bees farmers market

The Nose Always Knows Best

One little soap saver bag started a conversation about scent, handmade soap, tea, and the simple moments that make a rainy farmers market unforgettable.
Restored dairy barns and silo at Caumsett State Park beneath a bright blue summer sky.

The Walled Garden at Caumsett State Park

I came to Caumsett State Park for a 5K summer run, but it was the Walled Garden—with its towering Russian sage, busy honey bees, and remarkable brick wall—that stole the evening.
healthy conversations are a part of every market

Healthy Conversations

A Saturday at the Eisenhower Park Farmers Market turned into something much more than a day of selling honey. From conversations about health and everyday challenges to an unexpected American elderberry purchase, this week's Farmers Market Report is about the people who make our local market community so special.
Lemon Bomb lip balm by Backyard Bees in a compostable paper tube

Lemon Bomb is a Terrible Name

Lemon Bomb isn't lemon flavored—but it has become one of Backyard Bees' best-selling lip balms. Discover the story behind the name, the ingredients, and the customers who made it a favorite.
Deep trench in a backyard garden filled with watermelon rinds and potatoes for trench composting to improve healthy soil.

The Dirt Beneath Our Feet

A watermelon rind, a shovel, and a backyard with lifeless soil led to an unexpected Fourth of July reflection about earthworms, healthy gardens, and the dirt beneath our feet.

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Field notes, seasonal stories, and the occasional surprise—delivered to your inbox,  usually once a week.