Beekeeping - Short and Sweet

Latest Episodes:

Episode 401: Happy Father's Day Jul 19, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: Happy Father’s Day, and, I have a question for you, and it’s one not just for the Dad’s out there. Have any of your colonies become hopelessly queen less this season, more than in previous years? We’ve had quite a number of nucs that have now become hopelessly queen less. Luckily, I’m queen rearing!

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 401 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

Episode 400: Honey Production Colonies Jul 12, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: Episode four hundred, who would have thought it. And we celebrate by being chased away from the apiaries by some very heavy rain showers. It’s all going to change though as we head into some warmer weather and with it the start of the Summer nectar flow.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 400 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

Episode 399: Mind The Gap! Jul 05, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: We're well on our way towards the Summer solstice, now that we're in the month of June and colonies in all apiaries are building well. Nucleus colonies have surprised me over at the fishing lakes, but I've also found a number of colonies that are on a brood break, could this be as a result of the June Gap?

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 399 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

Episode 398: Queen Rearing Questions Jun 28, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: Lots of beekeeping happening this week, the weather has cooled, just a little, and I’ve been asked some questions about my preferred method of queen rearing and asked my views on Summertime moving of bees.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 398 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Nucleus Colonies For Sale

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

Episode 397: Heatwave Beekeeping! Jun 21, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: It’s all change, the colder weather of just a week ago has suddenly shifted into a weekend heatwave and that could put beekeepers at risk. Time to be sensible and avoid opening up our bee hives during those very hot periods in the day.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 397 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Nucleus Colonies For Sale

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

Episode 396: Slowly Drawn Comb Jun 14, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: The cooler weather has definitely caused our colonies to slow down the wax production, that’s had a knock on effect in getting foundation drawn as comb, and the downturn in temperature has also meant grumpy bees!

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 396 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Nucleus Colonies For Sale

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

Episode 395: Rain Delays Inspections Jun 07, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: Wouldn’t you just know it, on the one day I really needed to carry out some inspections, it’s rained. It was cold, and it just kept raining all morning, the result, next day, yep, swarming!

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 395 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Nucleus Colonies For Sale

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

Episode 394: Spring Honey Crop May 31, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: The weather has been typically Spring like, warmer days, but with chilly nights. The double brood method has worked well in managing Spring growth and the Spring Honey Crop is growing nicely.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 394 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Nucleus Colonies For Sale

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

Episode 393 More Swarms and Nectar Flows May 24, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: It’s been yet another swarmy week with another two collected from my own apiaries. We have a nectar flow at the farm, and I’m using that to draw out more frames of foundation.

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 393 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Nucleus Colonies For Sale

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE

Bee Aware Varroa Information can be found HERE

Thorne Beehives Bees on a Budget Hive

The Beekeeper's Dictionary website

Ethyl Acetate for colony destructions can be found here

Gardening Potting Tray for effective frame cleaning

Stainless Steel Stock Pots for use as a double boiler. Get one slightly larger than the other to fit inside.

Gas Stove for outdoor use to render wax and old comb.

Contact Me at The Norfolk Honey Company

VMD Website: Click HERE

Join Our Beekeeping Community in the following ways:

Early Release & Additional Video and Podcast Content - Access Here
Stewart's Beekeeping Basics Facebook Private Group - Click Here
Twitter - @NorfolkHoneyCo - Check Out Our Feed
Instagram - @norfolkhoneyco - View Our Great Photographs
Sign Up for my email updates by visiting my website here

Amazon links are affiliate links. I recieve a small commission should you choose to purchase.

Support the show

Episode 392: Colony Spring Growth May 17, 2026

Show notes

In this week's Podcast: Swarm number two safely collected, and it was a big one! If you’re collecting swarms, always go with a bigger box than you think you’ll need, stay tuned to hear why!

Hi, I’m Stewart Spinks, welcome to Episode 392 of my podcast, Beekeeping Short and Sweet.

Please support us throught affiliate links below, they cost you nothing and help us continue to produce our content.

Nucleus Colonies For Sale

Beekeeping Courses at Thorne Beehvies in Wragby Lincolnshire 2026

Thorne Beehives Bailey Board

Some of my Favourite Microscopy Books:

Pollen Loads of the Honeybee by Dorothy Hodges

Rex Sawyer's Pollen Identification

Pollen Grains and Honeydew by Margaret Adams

The Pollen Landscape by Joss Bartlett

Pollen Microscopy by Norman Chapman

The National Bee Unit Varroa Information can be found HERE