William Palmer Homestead Honey & Bees

03/08/2025

The custom of "telling the bees" is a charming and ancient tradition where beekeepers inform their bees about significant events in their lives, such as deaths, births, marriages, and other major occurrences. This practice is believed to have its roots in Celtic mythology, where bees were seen as messengers between the human world and the spirit world. The presence of a bee after a death was thought to signify the soul leaving the body. The tradition became particularly prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries in Western Europe and the United States.
To tell the bees, the head of the household or the "goodwife" would approach the hives, gently knock to get the bees' attention, and then softly murmur the news in a solemn tone. This ritual was believed to keep the bees informed and prevent them from leaving the hive or dying. The custom underscores the deep connection and respect that people historically had for bees, viewing them as integral members of the household and community.

09/08/2024

A few pics from around the apiary today. :)

08/22/2024

I had some spare equipment stacked in my bee yard with my tools. I opened the cover looking for something and was surprised to see that a swarm had moved in. Mind you - I set up swarm traps every year around my property and have never caught anything before. 🙄

Attached are some pics I took of the process of moving the bees to an upgraded accommodation. I set up a new hive next to the stored boxes where the bees were so I could avoid having to move them. Queen pic in one of the photos. :)

Excuse the look of the apiary - the grass always gets away from me. I do keep it cut away from the electric fence though. :)

08/20/2024

One of the better bee photos I have taken recently!

08/20/2024

A recent article published in the local newspaper describes the difficulties beekeepers face in New Hampshire due to climate change.

“I've never experienced a season like this one,” said Lee Alexander, who has been keeping bees most of his life.

09/12/2022

The bounty of the season is ready!

The taste of wildflower honey from Plummers Ridge in Milton! $16 per 1-pound bottle! Wooden honey dipper included! Message me the number of bottles you would like. I will be setting up pickup times over the next few weekends and depending on location I may be able to deliver to your doorstep. :) Cash, Venmo -Palmeira, or PayPal

07/16/2022

Although we are in the middle of summer and thinking about picnics and beaches, the bees are already hard at work making winter preparations. The young bees that start emerging in August have larger fat bodies in the abdomen and may live up to six months compared to their sisters that only live six weeks during the foraging season!

06/18/2022

"For so work the Honeybees, creatures that by a rule in nature teach the act of order to a peopled kingdom."
- William Shakespeare, Henry V - 1599

05/08/2022

Dandelions are blooming and the flow is on!