Introduction to Beekeeping at Martineau Gardens 24th & 25th April 2027

Interested in beekeeping? Join us for our two-day course with hands on experience at the apiary at Martineau Gardens. Hello Beekeepers! Here is everything that you need to know in advance:- The course is a two day weekend course. It begins at:- 9.45am at Edgbaston Priory Indoor Tennis Centre (next door) park at Martineau Gardens Lunch will be at Martineau Gardens Practical beekeeping in the apiary at Martineau after lunch Finishing at approx. 4pm The course is led by experienced beekeeper Sam Walker What to bring: • ·You will need to bring wellington boots and socks to wear in the apiary - wellingtons are only needed in the apiary, you won’t need to wear them all day • Peaked or baseball style cap is essential while wearing a bee suit • Bring a packed lunch • Please do not eat any bananas before beekeeping this will be explained • Long hair should be tied back, to prevent getting caught in bee suit zips • Wear light clothes that will fit under a bee suit to avoid getting too hot • A notebook and pen What we provide: • Protective Bee Suit • Hot or cold drinks will be provided at Martineau Gardens • There are drink vending machines at Edgbaston Tennis Centre, or you may want to bring a drink for the class session. Course Description: The course will touch on the topics of:- · What is a honey bee, how it differs from other flying insects · Bee life cycle, colony setup · Bee Dances, Flowers, forage, and Honey · Hive types, and where and how to locate hives · The costs of keeping bees: equipment, tools and clothing required · Role of the beekeeper, swarms, harvesting honey, honey shows · Pests, diseases, and bee husbandry · Beekeeping organisations and insurance, Beekeeping through the year · Live bee experience (weather permitting) NB If the weather is not suitable to go into the apiary, there will alternative dates made available