Kim Flottum (–2023)

Most of the standard books on beekeeping focus on getting high production from the bees. When you care for hives for your own use, you can focus on quality rather than quantity. This is not necessarily a beginner’s instruction manual, rather it is a guide to delving further into honey. In the first 1/3 of the book, Flottum shows us how to pay attention to what plants are flowering at different times and the different flavors of honey produced. Keeping track of the weather (or getting show more Growing Degree Days online from an Ag Extension agent) will help you predict blossom time. He also explains how to manage your bees so they are ready for peak production at the same time the plants are at peak production by explaining what motivates bees to forage. This is the section I got the most from, and the main reason for rating the book as high as 4.
The second 1/3 of the book describes how to harvest honey in a way that preserves the unique scent and flavor of each batch. Some of his procedures, while standard, may not be approved by beekeepers who are Bee Guardians (i.e. letting the bees flourish under their own instinctual behaviors). For example, he uses air blowers to chase the bees away from frames he wants to harvest. His description and photos for an efficient extracting room are much more extensive than any “backyard” beekeeper would use. Apparently he has shifted the book's focus to production for commercial sale of “artisanal” honey. His advice on dealing with solid honey is well worth checking, since most methods of liquefying honey actually overheat it and cause loss of enzymes and flavor. He says the critical temperature is 110° F. A small bottle may be warmed in a pan of hot water (watch the temperature!) and a 5 gallon pail can be warmed by setting it in a homemade Styrofoam enclosure with a single 40 watt light bulb.
The final 1/3 of the book is a collection of recipes which highlight different flavors of honey. Barbecue sauces, dips, dressings, drinks (yes! there is Wassail) and spreads are featured, in addition to the expected desserts and breads. I haven’t tried any, tho they all look simple enough, so can’t comment further. show less

Every other beekeeping book I have read suggests having two deep (9"), ten-frame hive bodies (the bees' permanent home) and adding supers above those for honey (theirs and possibly some for you). Flottum suggests having three medium (6"), eight-frame bodies, not because of any advantage to the bees but because deeps are too heavy. I might as well install a scooter path from backdoor to hives so I don't have to walk all that distance either. That and a stairlift down the back steps.

He did show more suggest one interesting thing: one frame of specifically drone-sized foundation keep against one wall of a hive body so that wax moths (which prefer drones since their larvae are bigger and meatier than worker larvae) will concentrate there. He didn't suggest how the queen knows to lay only unfertilized eggs in that foundation, though. But queens know a whole lot; maybe they can sense different depths of cells.

At the end of the book are recipes for crafts, cosmetics, and food to be made with wax or honey. Most are sane. At least one is not: "Take selected large red or white currants. One by one, carefully make an incision in the skin 1/4" (.6cm) deep with tiny embroidery scissors. Through this slit remove the seeds with the aid of a sharp needle, preserving the shape of the fruit. [Preserve in honey.:]" (154)

Who am I, Danny the Champion of the World? Also there's a scene in the sequel to Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry in which Cassie's half-white-thus-alien cousin helps her dig chiggers out of her foot with a needle. I don't know which is less appetizing, currants full of sleeping pills or full of maggots. show less

This book provides enough information to cause qualms in prospective neophyte beekeepers (a good thing) and enough detail to begin to know what we don't know. The author's explanation of top bar beekeeping is welcome.

This is not the first beekeeping book the hubby has read as we have entered into this new addition to the farm. He did tell me that it is the best book he has read so far. The book is written for the beginning beekeeper and truth be told even though we have had bees for a year we still have so many questions.

Mr. Flottum lays everything out in a very straightforward manner starting with the basics. He helps the hopeful beekeeper by providing a step by step plan of attack.

The hubby found it show more very helpful for bucking up his basic knowledge and for answering several questions that arose over the a cold snap that we had. Our winter has been quite odd this year with it never really getting and staying cold but rather being cold for two days then warmer and rainy. He thought it was messing with the bees but he found his answer in the book – they were just hivecleaning.

He is very glad to have this book in his beekeeping library and he says it will be his go/to book when he has questions. It’s written in an easy to understand manner for people who are just starting up with bees or whom are interested in reading on what is required to give bees a home whether you live in a rural or urban environment. show less