Homemade Living: Keeping Bees with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Tend Hives, Harvest Honey & More

This book covers many important topics necessary for bee keeper's to know. She covers bee anatomy, life cycles, instinctual mind set. the book tells how queens, drones, and workers formed, and their designated roles in and outside the hive. She covers some of the things that adversely affect bees be they man, animal, insects, chemical, and viral. She also covers sources for books and knowledge about bees, tools, hives, remedies, sources for acquiring bees, just about anything needed for bee keeping. The tone of her book is also quite sympathetic to the bees and their life style and life cycle. This is a very good book

Maybe a professional might find this book juvenile but for a beginner, I love love love this book! I feel it's informative without going over my head or without dumbing it down. It also has a lot of instructions and images to aid comprehension. This book covers everything from setting up a hive to getting bees in the mail to harvesting the honey. She also included bios from established beekeepers (including herself!). I follow the writer's blog (design sponge) and I love her work. As a side note, Amazon got the book to be when I needed it, and in great shape. The book is also really well-priced for how informative it is. I would highly recommend this book for someone who is toying with the idea of keeping bees. Thanks also for the recipes!

Bought this for my sister who wants to keep bees. In general, I've found that Ashley English does an awesome job in her books. I have her Home Dairy book and use it all the time for making cheeses, yogurt, and kefir. This bee book goes into bee varieties, troubleshooting hive health, how to harvest honey, equipment for beekeeping, what to expect, how/where to order your bees, and pretty much everything I could think of that would bee (lol...) needed for beekeeping.*I have not practically tried anything in this book, as it was a gift.*

I love bees. Really. I think they are one of the most awesome creatures on the planet, hence my desire to keep a hive of my own. But being a total beginner I wasn't sure where to start. Bee keeping classes seemed a bit too intimidating and most of the books I have flipped through were dry and technical until.....you guessed it, until I picked up Ashley's book! I learned so much from this little volume and am excited to continue my education with bees. This was one of the best purchases I've made in quite awhile. If you are new to apiculture, as I am, or just enjoy learning new things, I think you will find this book a nice platform from whence to start!

Overall a good beekeeping book for those getting started. Only thing is she focuses primarily on one style rather than sharing multiple styles of beekeeping, unfortunately. But a well written work, for sure. My wife has been following her blog for years and her books have often been gifts for friends just getting into the various areas of urban homesteading.

I have been waiting for this book to be published ever since I purchased the first two books in Ashley English's "Homemade Living" series. I have been researching bee keeping for about a year now, mostly because I plant a garden every year and would like to give it a boost, but also because I am fascinated by honeybees and would like to have my own honey source. I love this book because it is packed with great information but is not overwhelming. English tackles the most important lessons of beekeeping and stays on task. After reading this, I definitely think I can manage a couple of hives, and I am really excited to get started. Bottom line: if you're thinking about keeping bees, read this book first.

I received my book a couple of weeks ago. Amazon is on point as usual. This is a great book. I have been waiting to get it since I checked out Keeping Chickens from the library so many times I decided to get my own copy. I am planning to start bee keeping mostly just for fun but also for the chance to help bees out and get some honey in return. The book is choc-full of information and pictures, but I really love the humor too. I will read through it time and again, in preparation for starting a hive. Thank you.

This is a GREAT book, a must have for anyone considering beekeeping. I have a 1,300 page book given to me by neighbor, but needed a simplistic book with lots of pictures that I could read in a couple days and this was that book. It's given me the confidence to order a hive and get started.

Awesome book!

I have all her books! Straightforward, well written, great info and good pictures. Love the vintage vibe.

Excellent practical guide for some one who is just getting started. Well written and presented, good useful information. Give it a read and get yourself some bees!

Book came as shown, was a great gift.