Biodynamic Beekeeping: A Sustainable Way to Keep Happy, Healthy Bees

Biodynamic Beekeeping: A Sustainable Way to Keep Happy, Healthy Bees

Matthias Thun, David Heaf (Translator)
$24.95
Publication Date: December 15th, 2020
Publisher:
Floris Books
ISBN:
9781782506744
Pages:
192
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Description

Modern beekeeping, influenced by new technologies and breeding methods, has increased honey production but left bee colonies weak and vulnerable to disease. With the alarming decline of the bee population raising concerns about an impending ecological crisis, many beekeepers are seeking a more sustainable way of caring for bees.

Biodynamic Beekeeping is the first book of its kind to offer practical instruction on caring for bees using biodynamic theories and methods. By considering the influence of the movement of the stars and the planets on the bees' natural habits, biodynamics encourages beekeepers to be more in tune with their bees indicating, for example, the best days on which to inspect colonies or gather honey.

This fascinating book offers beekeepers detailed advice and instruction on how to work more holistically, including:

  • the challenges and advantages of breeding queen bees
  • how to artificially induce swarming to propagate colonies
  • how to use biodynamic ashing techniques to combat varroa mites
  • instructions for making winter-feed according to current biodynamic thinking

About the Author

Matthias Thun (1948-2020) was an international expert on biodynamic beekeeping with over 50 years' experience. He had a Masters in Beekeeping and lectured at biodynamic conferences and training seminars internationally. He worked with his mother, biodynamic pioneer Maria Thun, on the annual creation of the seminal Maria Thun Biodynamic Calendar, until her death in 2012 after which he continued it independently. Matthias lived at his family's biodynamic homestead in Dexbach, Germany, until his death.