THE BACKYARD BEEKEEPER
By Kim Flottum
Quarry Books, 2005
Category: Nonfiction for all ages
Of all the beekeeping books I have read in the past eighteen months, this is my favorite by far. It is clearly written, thoroughly illustrated, and beautifully designed. In its pages you will find everything you need to know about keeping bees of your own. (You want to keep bees of your own, don’t you?)
THE BACKYARD BEEKEEPER explores the whys and wherefores of the beekeeping business, its equipment, and its tools. It explains basic bee biology, the job of the beekeeper, and the myriad uses for hive products. Among the latter is a chapter of honey recipes, including ‘Honey Dill Dressing over Red-Skinned Potatoes’ and ‘Crispy Honey Cookies’, both of which may have finally convinced my family to let me keep bees of my own.
How can they resist?
By the way, author Kim Flottum also edits the journal Bee Culture, a must-have for beekeepers … or non-beekeepers who happen to be writing about honey bees. In his June editorial, Flottum said about Colony Collapse Disorder: “Whatever it is, it’s still out there and it’s still killing bees.” The line gives me goose bumps.