Definitely hiving my bees for the first time. My neighbors gathered around to watch at sunset as I somewhat nervously shook my package of bees into their new home.
Bee2Bee has a collective of beekeepers – “newbees” who are learning how to beekeep through Bee2Bee. We have hives in over fifteen locations in Houston neighborhoods and suburbs.
What are some the challenges that you face as a beekeeper? That your bees face?
My challenge as a beekeeper is the typical perception about bees – I meet people everyday completely terrified of bees. As far as the bees, beyond the usual pests and diseases, I worry often about mosquito spraying.
Sourwood! I had my first Sourwood honey at the American Cheese Society conference in Sacramento and it blew my mind. I’m also quite fond of infusions – I made a hibiscus infusion using local roselle and it was awesome.
What do you want people to know about bees?
I’d like people to be more conscious about pollinators and their influence on our agricultural system.
What are your favorite uses for honey?
As a cheesemonger, I would have to say pairing cheese and honey. The lavender-infused honey in March’s Hive Box is awesome with fresh cheeses, particularly Bellwether Farms ricotta, Cypress Grove’s Purple Haze and Cowgirl Creamery’s MT Tam.
Subscribing to the Hive Box is a great start! Knowing where your honey from is important. I recommend buying honey with an address or a phone number – it’s a good indicator that the honey you’re buying is actually honey. Beyond buying honey, planting year-round, pollinator-friendly blooms is always helpful. What most people don’t know is that they can provide a water source for pollinators – especially in dry areas or during the hottest part of the year.
Learn more about Nicole and her collective by visiting her website Bee2BeeHoney and her Instagram page @bee2beehoney.