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.

Setting up at farmers market for rosemary infused honey demo

Food Safety, Fresh Corn, & Rosemary Honey

Fresh corn, rosemary-infused honey and one mysterious plant turned food safety concerns into an unexpectedly interesting day at the farmers market.
Sunflower blooming near Backyard Bees apiary, reflecting the spirit of a second visit to Heckscher State Park through the eyes of a beekeeper

Looking for Bees, Finding Faeries

Sometimes the smallest surprise in nature changes the way we see the world. A return visit to Heckscher State Park, a tiny patch of Brown-eyed Susans, and Emily Wilde's faeries reminded me that careful observation often leads to unexpected connections.
Vendors gather to celebrate National Farmers Market Week at the CCE Farmers Market in Eisenhower Park.

National Farmers Market Week Begins at Eisenhower Park

National Farmers Market Week begins with a slower Saturday at the CCE Farmers Market in Eisenhower Park, giving this beekeeper time to wander, visit neighboring vendors, and celebrate the community behind the market.
Johnny with Backyard Bees' first honey harvest in 2010.

Respect The Honey

Honey is more than a sweetener. It's the work of thousands of bees, the craft of the beekeeper, and the story of a season. Here's why every drop deserves respect.
View of Hempstead Lake from the elevated boardwalk and kayak launch at Hempstead Lake State Park on Long Island.

What I Didn’t Notice at Hempstead Lake State Park

During a summer run at Hempstead Lake State Park, I found myself noticing something unexpected. The invasive plants I'd grown used to seeing across Long Island were missing, replaced by native flowers that support pollinators and restore the landscape.

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