It's 303 Day Again!

RIP 303beekeeper custom domain. Hello again BBHB.blogspot.com!

From the archives: I registered the custom domain nine years ago!

This blog is still called the Backyard Bee Hive Blog, hence the BBHB. But since I'm not in the 303 area code anymore, I didn't renew the 303beekeeper custom domain. I just don't have enough bee content to justify the cost.

You can still find me on Instagram as @backyardbee. I've deviated from all-bee content there as well, but I still love bees and they find a way into as many posts as possible. For those looking for Marty Hardison's booklet, The Appropriate Beehive, it will remain available through bbhb.blogspot.com as before. Free by request!

May your hives be humming,
HB

Deep Top Bar Hive, designed by Marty Hardison

The Deep Hardison Hive

Here is a new picture of the deep Hardison Hive. Marty has enjoyed 100% survival rates in them, and he's fine-tuned their construction. The plans to construct the original Hardison Hive are included in The Appropriate Beehive. On clicking through, you will need to request access to the document.

"There is nothing fancy about adding 4 inches to my standard hive. I just cut 4-inch wide boards of the same wood the hive body was built out of. Then drilled down the center of the boards deep enough to screw them into the existing hive body. But I also screw the end of the boards together. This enables my bees to have a larger enough cluster to survive Denver winters."

As you can see, he also adds protection over that wide seam. Nothing fancy. Once the bees propolize the inside, the seam will be wind- and water-tight. If you have any questions for Marty, just drop a comment. I'll make sure he gets it!