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

Honey bees foraging on clusters of small white flowers.

Bee Healthy or Bee Well?

A queen-bee display attracted only three visitors, but Health and Wellness Day had other ideas. Fall Honey tastings, diabetes questions and small acts of care reshaped the conversations at the Backyard Bees table.

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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.

Honey bees foraging on clusters of small white flowers.

Bee Healthy or Bee Well?

A queen-bee display attracted only three visitors, but Health and Wellness Day had other ideas. Fall Honey tastings, diabetes questions and small acts of care reshaped the conversations at the Backyard Bees table.
Dark, thick fall honey sitting in uncapped honeycomb instead of dripping from the frame

The Mystery of the Honey That Wouldn’t Flow

What could make honey so thick it wouldn’t flow? For years, I had no idea. Then I began connecting a few curious clues: fall flowers, buzzing bees, and a plant I had overlooked for years. The mystery led me straight to English ivy honey.
Backyard Bees coffee and honey demonstration at the CCE Farmers Market

Coffee and Honey? The Market Speaks

Coffee and honey? What started as a farmers market experiment turned into a morning of tastings, opinions, unexpected coffee combinations—and a lot of requests for the French Vanilla Honey Syrup recipe.
Storm clouds over the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater at Jones Beach State Park before the NYS Parks Summer Run Series.

The Finish Line Isn’t the End: Jones Beach State Park

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