Bees

At Littlefield Farm we adopt a bee-centred approach to beekeeping meaning the traditional process of regularly collecting honey from hives on the ground is not followed. Our method is non-intrusive, low intensity and of minimal stress for our honey bees. We have no intention of consuming any honey and what the bees produce is food for them over the winter.

We installed the wild bee hive (made out of Larch) up an old oak tree less than 10 feet away from the Food Forest. Within 5 days a new colony had taken to it with the help of a Lemongrass ointment which attracts un-housed swarms in the local area. We planted physillum in the Food Forest which is a fantastic nitrogen fixing plant with bright blue flowers and loved by bees.

Cross pollution is key for the production of fruit trees and bees are the best method for this. Any excess pollen is then taken back to the hive and stuffed into an awaiting cell.