I don’t get how people could think that you were trying to say that you thought your equipment was the issue. The way I saw it, you decided to find a way to make beekeeping easier for you as a keeper, whilst not having to drastically change the equipment you have. You took the bad situation, learned from it, and implemented improvements across the board!
Some people are constantly looking for a reason to criticize. Or maybe they just didn't watch the whole video. Also, I've come to realize that I will literally ALWAYS and FOREVER be seen as a noob by more experienced beekeepers. I'll never grow out of that label in a lot of people's eyes. Oh well. Not a huge deal, but it made me feel better to just spell it out.
@@vinofarm Completely different area, but I get the feeling of being looked down upon as a noob. I get that with my F1, not so much now, but 12 months ago when I was doing my racing I would be abused for racing hard against faster drivers when all I’m doing is trying to learn and earn points. At the end of the day though, all that matters is that we learn, improve, and don’t let the negativity get to us. And you being in the spotlight is almost certainly going to get more hate than me with my little online racing stuff! Keep doing what you’re doing!
@@vinofarm When someone sees a noob, a normal reaction is to help them out with advice. But when they see what they perceive as a competition or a threat ... you know where I'm going with this. Congrats, the sharks have noticed you! Means you must be doing something right!
That's what I saw as well. The bee barns are a means to an end, but not the be all and end all. Jim, you're awesome. You keep doing you and I'll keep watching your vids. Long live Queen Adrian!
Yea, it was very obvious he chose to design something that would reduce the physical work. Lifting things is a significant part of beekeeping with the standard langstroth hive. This design removes most of the lifting and simplifies things a bit by integrating the insulation in a climate that requires it.
Hey Jim! Wanted to address your comment that many people misconstrued your intention of designing and building the new hive as THE solution for your low survival rate last year. I think anyone who has watched your videos and paid attention realizes you’re one of the more responsible and attentive beekeepers on UA-cam, and most of us really appreciate that you publicly addressed your failures. Most of us are not watching your videos just to kill time. We’re interested in how other beekeepers manage their hives, or just generally interested in the hobby. Regardless of what inevitably killed your other colonies, this insulated hive is going to give your bees a huge advantage next winter. Not having to fight the cold means less resources will be used and more available energy/mobility for the bees to fight mites, which will result in an overall higher survival rate. I think it’s good that you continue to address the negative comments in your videos, but don’t be bothered by them. If another beekeeper still doesn’t agree with or understand your actions or intentions, then that’s on them. We all have different climates, diseases, pests, etc., and it’s very easy for someone to tell you you’re doing things wrong because they simply don’t understand your challenges. Keep up the great work, and continue inspiring others.
Always appreciate your support, Paul. Thanks. I'm not bothered by haters and name callers... Bring it on! However, I do get bothered when I am entirely misunderstood or if false notions about me are spread across facebook or other channels. That's when I feel the need to respond. Overall, not life or death... just frustrating.
@@vinofarm I just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone in the battle. I have had your back on several local beekeeping FB pages with people misunderstanding. I keep correcting people who say you were blaming the loss on hive design. Every time I correct them it is radio silence since they obviously go back to watch it completely to try to form a rebuttal and can't. Please keep doing what you're doing. I love the way you approach beekeeping, and I attribute much of my success to what you have shared.
"Work smarter, not harder" You are designing your yard to fit your needs, and to make things easier on you. And essentially thinking like a bee. You see what they like to do from how your bees have acted in the past, and have adapted the bee barns to work with them and not against them. I'm so excited to see how everything runs this season!
However, it is a very low sample size. Maybe Adrian just got "lucky". A theory has been proposed, and various changes have been made based on last year's experience. We'll see how things work out. I hope things are much better a year from now, for all of us.
I do not agree at all with the reason of ' facing north' made this hive to survive. If the bees go in 'robbery mood' they do not care which directions is the honey to be stollen ... they go for it. All depends on the size of the entrance and the strength of the colony protecting their honey. I think that the ' analyses' of this beekeeper over finding the reason of surviving of this ( only ) hive , are non sens. He has even build the hives considering his 'whishes' and not taking in account what is the best for the bee-colony. In my opinion he doesn't quite understand how a bee-colony works , or doesn't have enough experience in beekeeping.
@@lymitutit3046 I don't disagree with you. It is also a low sample size (N=1) as Ray Opeongo said above, but it is a hypothesis that needs to be tested. You are probably right that the hive facing north was just a stronger hive and able to protect itself from raiders.
Beekeeping is local. Hyper-local. You experienced losses and did your level best to find out why, and “fix” the issue(s). Not quite sure why people don’t get it, or give grief over your solution to your problem. I applaud your ingenuity and willingness to really step out on a limb. Beekeepers can be pretty rigid in many respects. I wish you amazing success!
Yeah I agree, some of the things people do and say online are just not applicable in my country.and the location my bees are situated, yet other things they do or say definitely improve conditions for my girls with a little adjustment to local circumstances. For example, where I am, there are a lot of wasps and some sort of pinky sized murderous cousin of them that can be a real issue. My solution to it is plastic bottles with holes drilled in them on the side that they can enter but not leave, filled with a layer of beer for them to drown in along with pieces of meat inside and a few drops of vinegar. My bees don't get attracted to them but it's doing wonders in thinning out these insectoid predators that threaten them, along with the mouse guards that the big wasps can't go through, which also definitely help with reducing the difficulties of defending the hive from the few wasps that do prefer the hunt over the bottles nearby. Likewise, i found that these traps work better in sunlight and when placed in the most common flight paths of these predators when they approach. The ones I placed in attics around the area and in shadowy corners rarely catch any, even when places near a common nesting area. But it's little things like this, the sharing of ideas that can make all the difference for someone facing a simular situation but perhaps in need of a diffrent mixture to deal with the local threats. Because whilst my bees might be dissuaded from vinegar in beer, someone else's might not. Likewise, whilst I assume from its use in the video, that wooden legs for the beehive work for vinofarm, they would not here. Instead smooth metal legs work better against things like ants here as otherwise they will try to eat the wood or just crawl up. The materials used mean as much on a local level as everything else involved. Which is why I consider beekeeping an art not a science. It has too many hyper local variables as you say to be approaches as a universal science that works the exact same for everyone
Your end comments show a level of patience with people who I would not have been patient with that is truly admirable. Thank you for showing the little back door!
I’ve been a carpenter all my 40+ years and you have made a super insulated home as the newer people homes are. Smart reasoning on your part. I will take up your kindness and look forward to a drawing of your hive barn. Ps: a few bucks 5-10 I would be willing to pay as a donation to your great effort. Never give up by reinventing the wheel.
Ive been deep diving beekeeping for the past few weeks and came accross your videos when I was studying the different equipment types. I was drawn to the Lansgtroth setup immeadiately because of Langstroth himself. Fascinating dude. 160 years since the Hive and the Honey Bee was written and its still a great book today. Gotta say, I really like your take on the Langstroth Hive. We dont get quite as cold as Michigan in the winter in my little glorious corner of Canada (Suburbs of Vancouver BC), but I think the Bee Barn might work fantastically here. It doesnt really get above 90 F in the heat of summer, and never really colder than 26 F, but all that wind and rain protection is GLORIOUS!!!
The fact that you are open sourcing your new design is most generous of you. That is so awesome. I will be most interested in how it works this year. Congratulations and thanks for all the information.
What it sounds like to me (a person who just randomly stumbled across your videos and knows nothing about bees) is that you had a hard year and you took the time to think about that failure and the all of the possible causes and you redesigned your bee yard and hives to mitigate as many of those hardships as possible for the bees moving forward. You sound like someone who genuinely cares about your bees and is trying you best to do what is best for them.
You explain yourself VERY WELL! Sorry people don’t get it...your entire history of bee vids show your care and diligence taken for the bees. Your changes are creating a mastery of beekeeping!
When I started beekeeping my mentor - bee buddy told me there is no right way and no wrong way of being a beekeeper. You learn the basics and then it's your way. No one keeps bee's in the exact same way or bee keeps the same way. Like you i'm trying lots of things, Old Log hive, long box hive and national hives. I'm a bit of a maverick as i'm trying lots of different types of ideas. Three years in and i'm loving it even more. Lots to learn and lots of mistakes to make, but who cares .... not me, I'm too busy enjoying keeping bee's. Another great video Jim keep em coming. Good luck for the season. By the way Love the design. Chris. UK
Answered every question about the design that I remember having. Has it been 5 years already? I think I found you while looking into the flow hive to evaluate if it was just a gimmick or a decent product. Then I kept watching and learning with you. You've always been honest and humble. Always willing to admit a mistake, because others might learn from your own shortcomings. I was devastated by the losses over this last winter, I am eternally grateful that at least one hive in the Balboa line survived. I remember the journey that hive went through, being rescued from your neighbor and given a place they could thrive, and did. I'm anticipating the smaller bee yard as good thing. Easier to keep track of who's who.
I can't remember how I stumbled onto this channel. I remember watching stuff about this flow-hive thing, watched a guy in Russia trying some plastic hives, but it was Vino farm that made me a subscriber. And while I live on the 5th floor in a small apartment with no chance (or real interest) on keeping bees myself, I find the topic and travails of beekeeping strangely fascinating.
I will say, the thing I love about this channel and the bees is the CHARACTER of it. I love that all the hives have a lineage, and a story line. I love that each have a name, and I love that they each have their own uniquely decorated hives. I feel the same way about these bees that I would a sports team, or a character in a book, its a really fun investment, with a lot of sentimentality and meaning
I am so happy for you. Your goal is to have “Happy Healthy Bees” I believe in your heart is to increase the Bee population so we All benefit, we need them. Thank you so much for all you do.🐝🐝🐝🐝
I found this channel years ago and got hooked. Anyone who has watched your previous videos knows you do a good job and are very thorough. I work at a nature preserve in East Tennessee where we have bee's and other native wildlife. I have learned that taking care of wildlife is hard and they can get sick and die no matter what you do right or wrong... All in all you do a great job, your kind, innovative, informative, and very entertaining.
In all of the years that I've been watching you (about 4 years now), I have NEVER thought that you were an idiot. You are someone that learns and grows from the mistakes that you've made throughout the years, changing things to try them out or to make life easier for you/the bees. You're passionate about what you do, and (to me) it really shows! You've come leaps and bounds from the first winter, and you've had losses since then (and also great progress!). UA-cam is recommending your videos to everyone, and some people just like observing while not understanding what's going on (and others comment like they've been through the exact same problems without offering advice). However, please understand that there are quite a few of us who love watching you grow, who feel empathy when a harsh drought hits, who like seeing you be happy for your bees (can't wait to meet the new queens and hives, by the way!). Keep doing what you love and what you're passionate for, and we'll stick with you. =) Much love Vinofarm!
I honestly don't understand how anyone could have misunderstood your last few videos. Your point was clear and I understood exactly what you thought process was. I don't keep bees yet so maybe those who misunderstood were caught up in their own biases based on their own beliefs about products you used and mention.
Lol at that last section called "I am not an idiot". Also at all these back seat beekeepers. Your yard and boxes look great. I'm so excited to see how well they do this year. I love watching your videos!
Great video and great hives. One of the most valuable lessons you teach all of us (in my opinion) is to pay attention, to go back and look at cause and effect, to make changes that make sense us and for "our" bees. The goal is to learn and do the very best for our bees that we can. One size rarely fits all. Also, might I suggest a quick and easy change to the hives to make your life a little easier? You may want to glue the foam insulation to the door for your mite board. That way when you pull the door off you get the insulation as well, one quick and easy move. Just a thought. Anyway, keep up the great work.
Anyone who has followed you for ay amount of time knows you and loves you for your thoughtfulness, honesty, problem solving, and inventive nature. We learn with you, and support you and your endeavors. As a neighbor im absolutely blown away by your bee barns and the way you thought to insulate against the ridiculous cold weather. I applaud you and hope to see more. We missed you all winter long, but im glad to see your progression into spring!
"Bees have trouble moving horizontally opposed to vertically." Exactly!!! That's why I didn't go with a horizontal hive. And I think your design would be great in the South, that insulation would really help with temperature regulation during our summers. I for one would love a set of plans and parts list!!
I have horizontal hives and they do great, I do natural hives, I don't feed them I use swarms of local feral bees and don't use chemicals to treat just like in nature. I just give them a home not in a tree. But I am trying one of these as well and put a new swarm in it with my own tweaks.
I'm in northern Sweden, and top bar hives and horizontal hives work great here, and we can have 3-4 weeks with continuous temperatures of -15 to -25°C, and our winters are looong!
The best part- you're excited about beekeeping again. Love the deep dive you took. Mechanics, design, numbers etc. Remember you also have land if you need a 2nd yard for fewer hives, less pressure and less robbing. My number to keep it fun is 5 production hives 1 resource hive. Creativity is your thing Jim. Glad you're back.
Your property and beeyard looks fantastic now. I never comment but I have been a subscriber for a few years. Love your channel and look forward to this seasons updates
I'm in Australia and have watched your videos for 2 years now. I am SO grateful for experiences and attitude to sharing your knowledge. Your new bee hives are PIMPING and I am very much looking forward to sharing your continued journey. Thanks for being an inspiration across the globe! (We know you are not an idiot!! :)) HAPPY BEE KEEPING.
Stop letting the internet trolls get to you. You’ve done so much to help me get started and I appreciate all you do. You take the time to make these videos and that’s more than 99% of people will do.
Trolls I can handle. It’s when I am completely misunderstood or if falsehoods about me are being spread across platforms, I feel the need to say something. I am fine with trolls.
@@vinofarm that’s pretty much what I meant but just used trolls. Seems a lot of people online just want to find any issue or any thing to complain about. It brings them up to bring others down in any way. Regardless keep it up I’m sure there are more of us than them.
You are always thinking, always learning, always improving. I have been beekeeping 3 years now. I’ve been watching you the entire time. You just said a couple things that I can take and use- switch to individual stands, and quality not quantity. You and I both went from a few hives , to a ton of hives in a couple years. We both found out it’s a lot of work. We have both had great success and some failures. Beekeeping is a hobby that takes many many years to get a grip on. It’s hard at times to maintain a high level of interest, especially when overwhelmed with the work. Thanks for sharing g what you do. I needed this one.
Love the bee barns. My children and I love watching your videos and we have recently become beekeepers inspired in large part by you. Keep up the good work.... top notch entertainment and information.
Hello Jim. Im nick and I'm a 4 year virginia beekeeper and I've lost my share of hives. Had 16 hives going in to winter and I came out of winter with 7 hives. So I know exactly what you've been dealing with. But what you've done with your own enhancements of your hives is absolutely spectacular. Really. It's very ideal because the thicken you've made the walls of your hives is the same as the walls of a hollow tree. You never cease to amaze me Jim. And your vino farm channel had really taught me alot in the past few years of being a beekeeper. Keep up the good work and good luck in the future.
I just wanted to say I love your reduce, reuse and recycle method to your bee keeping. I had a hard time keeping up with your videos last year because of how many hives you had (no fault of your own) but if you missed an episode it was hard to remember. I love that you made the hives easier to follow again and your whole growth and discovery of what works for you!! Leave those who aren't listening to your message behind, they don't actually want to hear you and want beekeeping to stay how it is so they don't have to adapt. KEEP IT UP VINO BEES!
Don't take the crap from the people on the internet seriously. Try not to internalize it. Your new hives look great. Your bees are in good hands. You've got this!
The new layout and improvements are awesome. Your passion and care for the bees shines through, but also your skills and innovation in trying to do things better for the bees and for yourself. Although I have no beekeeping experience I work as an engineer and design is an important part of my job, I am blown away by the level of detail and carefully thought improvements on the hive (taking the best of several systems + your own inventions) and a very practical layout. Well done and happy beekeeping, I hope the bees enjoy their new home as much as we enjoy watching your videos!
So smart! Pandemics and pests love concentrated populations, and several studies have proven drift is common for aligned hives. Wide open spaces seem to be more healthy for all creatures. Congrats on the new apiary. Looking forward to watching a new summer to see how the girls like their new digs.
In these years you have gone from a bee student, to a bee problem solver, to a bee teacher, and to a bee innovator. In our own crafts we are always learning to be better and do better and I think you are paving the way for some interesting problem solving for northern beekeepers. I'm bummed that others missed the mark on what you were trying to accomplish but I think you explained for yourself quite well what you mean to do. Always rooting for you here!
I am sorry to hear that you received so much critical feedback over the beekeeping vs the bee housing. Your videos on the bee barns are exactly on point with the same issues that I have been struggling with as a beekeeper in Chicago’s brutal weather. As an engineer, I have also been pondering that the traditional pine wood boxes seem to have been designed for a milder climate. Illinois has some of the biggest temperature differences between summer and winter in the US. I will be building these for sure. Beekeepers are often a traditional bunch. Keep innovating! 🚀
Jim, I am truly impressed by your new yard. It looks so much cleaner and less cluttered. Jim if anyone has ever watch your videos, they know you are not a careless beekeeper. Your recycling in equipment is genius. I would love it if you would make plans available. If everyone uses the same old same old, we would never have all the different types of hives. I adventure to say some might be jealous they didn't have the courage to move something different. You are a great beekeeper.
MY SHORT TIME OF FOLLOWING YOUR JOURNEY, THE STUFF BETWEEN THE LINES, THIS TELLS ME A LOT ABOUT YOU AS A PERSON! 3 ARIAS STAND OUT! # 1 HUSBANDRY #2 HUMILITY #3 PURPOSEFUL THOUGHTFUL... ( INNOVATION!) IN SUMMARY... A GREAT BEEKEEPER! TO YOU, A BIG THUMBS UP! IF THERE WAS A #4 RESPECTFUL!
I think you did an amazing job of altering the hive to meet your Apiary's needs. Just like techniques, you do what suits you! If I were in your climate, I would definitely want to mimic your adaptation. AWESOME, AMAZING JOB!!!!!
Thank you for your videos. I truly appreciate all your honesty and upfront-ness with everything you have always done. I know you've said it before in numerous videos but you do what works for you and never have you ever said this is what will work for everyone or this is the new way. I really can't wait to see the progress with these hives. Thank you for all your videos and continued ideas.
Jim, your video's get better every time. I have a coworker that has a few hives like me. We can't wait for your video's to come out them we talk about them during our breaks.
Well done! I am in the South East / Georgia/ You're a great thinker, great presenter, great teacher, and great human. My videos don't hold a candle, but our shared experiences online do add to beekeeping locally, even globally. Other beekeepers sharing their experiences adds to the vast knowledge base for us all to keep an open mind and not be afraid to try new ideas. Thank you, again, for stimulating beekeeping for us all!
You are a bee-keeping genius! Your videos are truly amazing. Your determination has saved us years of fumbling around. Perhaps you are a scientist, because you observe, question everything, and recalibrate. After watching your innovative videos and reading an article by William Hesbach, we prepared our hives as suggested to mimic the over-wintering conditions inside the trunk of a tree. Everything you said is true! Insulation was the key. Very high survival rates despite miserable weather conditions. Your videos are a treasure. Can't thank you enough!
Almost 100K subscribers! It is completely deserved because you are a great story teller. I am looking forward to some happy stories this Spring and Summer!
Different locations, different situations. Vast expanse of knowledge. I'm a first year Beek, trying to learn, and I'm taking away a lot of info. Continue to do your thing. Please some of the people some of the time.....
I hope that what you have deduced as the cause of your loses and what you have done to compensate is correct and that it works out. The modifications to the hive equipment are pretty cool. You clearly put a lot of thought into the equipment and the bee"Keeping". Rock on, dude.
I continue to be impressed with your thought processes in figuring out fixes for problems you were having (and of course, that's the core - fixing YOUR problems, not every beekeeper's). Really curious to see how - if at all - you apply these ideas to your resource nucs. Since you've overwintered nucs in the past, certainly seems like there would be room for a "Bee Barn Nuc", but seeing the cinder block stands in the middle of the yard makes me wonder if that is a project for a future year…
I never thought you were doing anything but making beekeeping better for your bees and easier for you. Show me a beekeeper of any age that doesn't have a backache. I've watched you for a long time. You are sincere, you are funny and interesting. I have enjoyed watching you grow in your beekeeping adventure. Your new hives are beautiful and functional. Susan NW Georgia
Hi Jim, great video, I must say I really enjoy your insight into bee keeping. It’s helped me a lot and has enabled me to head off problems before they occurred. PS the apiary is looking great and I’m sure the bees will be happy. 👍👍👍
Jim, as a second year beekeeper, I have always appreciated your videos. They are some of my favorites and I come back to the time and time again because you share your thought process. Part of beekeeping is learning how to think through issues that pop up and it helps to hear how others are critically thinking. What some people online forget is that these are your bees in your bee yard. I don’t understand how people can be ugly about what you decide to do with your bees. I saw your bee yard reconfiguration and redesign of your equipment as making the best of the situation you had. You took the opportunity to change some things that would be better for the bees and you. Beekeeping can be so expensive, so the fact that you built on what you already had on hand is helpful to a lot of people. And I am so grateful that you discussed the horizontal hive. I had considered trying one but am having second thoughts now. Thank you for all that you are doing!
Thanks for the footage 🦶, and keep up the great work! 👍 You definitely have some innovative ways to address problems for your area. Each year will continue to bring new problems and solutions, that's what makes it so much fun. Love to watch how you continue to grow.
I kept bees while overseas. Now back in the US starting over with beekeeping and this has been a great upgrade. So I am a year late from comments, and I Appreciate the sharing with others and your efforts to give credit to whom it belongs and the fact you are focus on helping others develop their colonies plus I take away your desire to not be in it for a selfish profit gain ( though you could patent a modification kit to the already popular method). Thank you. Major respect. I will watch and share all the rest of the your videos.
This design turn, both in the bee yard and the hive adaptations, are amazing for the hobby bee keeper. Thank you so much for taking us along with your bee keeping evolution. ✊🏻
Well done Jim your orientation of the hives will dramatically reduce drifting, your lack of landing boards is good, I don't use landing boards, it's a beekeeper thing, bees in trees don't look for that design. One modification you can do with your entrances now that they are 4 1/4" deep, when you have a wasp problem, you can insert wooden battens into the entrances to reduce them down to 1" entrance, which will make it easier to defend, wasps don't like going down long tunnels. Alternatively use electrical plastic trunking, to make the wasps enter sideways again this is easier for the bees to defend.
Jim, kudos for continuing to experiment. That is how we learn. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's all part of the fun. I switched to north-facing entrances 5-years and have had zero robbing issues. ;-)
The way you've thought and dissected the problem that you've had is fantastic and the solution is top notch. I really like the Bee Barn, the way you've designed it and the reorganisation of the Bee Yard is straight out of the text books. It's very admirable that you may offer out the design, I'd be really interested in it. Although my winters aren't as harsh as yours, I think I'd get the benefit from it in the summer months. I'm sure your not, but I'm looking forward to the winter months and how every thing develops. Impressive craft skills as well.
Apart from your deep thoughts and your ingeniousness, I absolutely adore your woodworking skills. These hives look amazing. I'd love to have such a nice home!
I love that your so creative and invested. You inspire me to want to go build something! That’s always super fun and rewarding. I love your videos. You always put yourself out there, win or lose. You don’t quit. Please keep it up. I’m glued to your new hive videos... ingenious.
I love that you shared your design so that everyone can improve their hives and to give you perspective for future hives, I think this way of thinking should be applied to so many other mediums for overall quality.
I follow you, bearded beekeeper, dirtrooster, Tennessee bee keeper and Canadian keeper. but no matter of what I've watched or even used, these are top notch builds in my book and you do indeed give enough information to build my own. These is nothing wrong with making life easier for you and your bees. Thank you and keep it up, perhaps another brain explosion can lead to other innovations as well.
I totally understand the both/and that happened with the bee barns and working on your beekeeping skills. Yes there was a huge loss and (honestly my heartbroke so I can't imagine yours.) you started looking at everything to find solutions. People who have been watching your videos for years have heard you talk about the frustrations you have had with the old hives and have seen the modifications you did to try to make them work in your climate. As a Canadian bee keeper I understand the frustration of weather and short seasons etc. And you did the autopsies of the hives and put a plan into place for the next season. I feel like you really covered all your bases and did an amazing job handling a really hard situation.
Your organization and problem solving is so satisfying. I recently have gotten UA-cam to suggest lots of beekeeping videos and other bee keepers don’t compare to how beautiful your hives and bee yard is. Thank you for your videos. Very satisfying to watch and lots of knowledge shed in every video 🤘🏼
First and foremost, you have to respect the passion! What you are doing is very respectable. I absolutely love that you are trying to look at the box and not just in or outside the box! Not literally. I got out of bees this year because ALL of mine died from the crazy freeze we had. I was not prepared for temps like that. Not normal here. Thank you sir for the fantastic content.
Was just making my new year resolution….I’m 82, so thinking it TIME TO GIVE UP BEE KEEPING (which I love, but getting just to hard to work the hives.) …. so watched one more bee video. BINGO, get rid of my cement block setup, build a half dozen “VINO” brood boxes and I’m good for a couple of more years….. A BIG BIG THANK YOU! A happy and beefun year to you!!!
Such a great solution to your environment. And such a wonderful and generous approach to helping other people and the bees they care for. Thank you very much. I’m a newbie with so much to learn.
Loved this video! Love what you did with the yard. And the bee barn is a wonderful idea. I appreciate the honesty you express about yourself and your way of life. You have to do you. No one else is living your life. I’m really looking forward to future videos to see how things are going with the new set up...love the new names of the barns! 🥰😃
Great job finding out how they survived. Your yard is beautiful. I like your new yard and your new goals for quality not quantity. I like watching your videos because not only is your environment like ours in Alaska (LONG winters) but you explain your reasons and solutions well and with great thought and caring of the future of your bees. You are always looking to be a better bee keeper and it shows. Thank you for sharing.
Jim, thank you for the video. You are a great beekeeper, very thoughtful about what you do. The solutions you came up with will or won't work but you're trying. Additionally, you're taking the time to share the process with online beekeeping community. Your videos are top notch and I can't wait for you to post new ones. A lot of factors play into why bees die. With a national loss of ~40% annually it's unfair for people to judge any one beekeeper in one year. Like your other viewers, I can't wait to see how this new chapter in your bee yard progresses. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
I loved the bee barn video and I felt like you were really clear that you hoped it would work out better for both you and the bees with your new designs. I'm surprised anyone misunderstood what you were intending. I hope you don't take any of those negative comments to heart. I've been following you since year 2 when I stumbled came across your videos. I love how you care for your bees and explain what you're doing and why. Don't stop, you're doing amazing!
Bee hive with permanent insulation is what I always think of but rarely see anyone using it. Your design really reflect my thought about better bee hive (large continuous brood area, permanent insulation, top honey flow entrance). I'm looking forward to see the results.
You are truly an impressive individual on so many levels. Fantastic job with both the hives and the analytical portion of beekeeping. Really looking forward following along your new chapter.
Don’t worry about the trolls and don’t respond to them, they love the attention. For every one troll there are hundreds if not thousands who like and appreciate your content. Trolls will be Trolls.
I am in Canada this year our hives are unbelievably bee numerous this was because of the weather mild winter, heavy feeding in spring and taking care of mites with strips immediately. Your hives are fantastic creations but most of us could not duplicate your energy, costs or mindfulness having said that I can’t wait to see you have a successful season.
I don’t get how people could think that you were trying to say that you thought your equipment was the issue.
The way I saw it, you decided to find a way to make beekeeping easier for you as a keeper, whilst not having to drastically change the equipment you have. You took the bad situation, learned from it, and implemented improvements across the board!
Some people are constantly looking for a reason to criticize. Or maybe they just didn't watch the whole video. Also, I've come to realize that I will literally ALWAYS and FOREVER be seen as a noob by more experienced beekeepers. I'll never grow out of that label in a lot of people's eyes. Oh well. Not a huge deal, but it made me feel better to just spell it out.
@@vinofarm Completely different area, but I get the feeling of being looked down upon as a noob. I get that with my F1, not so much now, but 12 months ago when I was doing my racing I would be abused for racing hard against faster drivers when all I’m doing is trying to learn and earn points.
At the end of the day though, all that matters is that we learn, improve, and don’t let the negativity get to us. And you being in the spotlight is almost certainly going to get more hate than me with my little online racing stuff!
Keep doing what you’re doing!
@@vinofarm When someone sees a noob, a normal reaction is to help them out with advice. But when they see what they perceive as a competition or a threat ... you know where I'm going with this.
Congrats, the sharks have noticed you! Means you must be doing something right!
That's what I saw as well. The bee barns are a means to an end, but not the be all and end all.
Jim, you're awesome. You keep doing you and I'll keep watching your vids. Long live Queen Adrian!
Yea, it was very obvious he chose to design something that would reduce the physical work. Lifting things is a significant part of beekeeping with the standard langstroth hive. This design removes most of the lifting and simplifies things a bit by integrating the insulation in a climate that requires it.
Hey Jim! Wanted to address your comment that many people misconstrued your intention of designing and building the new hive as THE solution for your low survival rate last year. I think anyone who has watched your videos and paid attention realizes you’re one of the more responsible and attentive beekeepers on UA-cam, and most of us really appreciate that you publicly addressed your failures. Most of us are not watching your videos just to kill time. We’re interested in how other beekeepers manage their hives, or just generally interested in the hobby. Regardless of what inevitably killed your other colonies, this insulated hive is going to give your bees a huge advantage next winter. Not having to fight the cold means less resources will be used and more available energy/mobility for the bees to fight mites, which will result in an overall higher survival rate.
I think it’s good that you continue to address the negative comments in your videos, but don’t be bothered by them. If another beekeeper still doesn’t agree with or understand your actions or intentions, then that’s on them. We all have different climates, diseases, pests, etc., and it’s very easy for someone to tell you you’re doing things wrong because they simply don’t understand your challenges. Keep up the great work, and continue inspiring others.
Always appreciate your support, Paul. Thanks. I'm not bothered by haters and name callers... Bring it on! However, I do get bothered when I am entirely misunderstood or if false notions about me are spread across facebook or other channels. That's when I feel the need to respond. Overall, not life or death... just frustrating.
@@vinofarm I just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone in the battle. I have had your back on several local beekeeping FB pages with people misunderstanding. I keep correcting people who say you were blaming the loss on hive design. Every time I correct them it is radio silence since they obviously go back to watch it completely to try to form a rebuttal and can't. Please keep doing what you're doing. I love the way you approach beekeeping, and I attribute much of my success to what you have shared.
@@dougstucki8253 Thanks, Doug. 100 internet points for you!
I was going to write up something similar but not as eloquent lol. Agreed, long time fans know what’s up.
Totally agree Paul
"Work smarter, not harder"
You are designing your yard to fit your needs, and to make things easier on you. And essentially thinking like a bee. You see what they like to do from how your bees have acted in the past, and have adapted the bee barns to work with them and not against them.
I'm so excited to see how everything runs this season!
I like the scientific thinking about why Adrian survived. Not a beekeeper but I like the thought process.
However, it is a very low sample size. Maybe Adrian just got "lucky". A theory has been proposed, and various changes have been made based on last year's experience. We'll see how things work out. I hope things are much better a year from now, for all of us.
I do not agree at all with the reason of ' facing north' made this hive to survive. If the bees go in 'robbery mood' they do not care which directions is the honey to be stollen ... they go for it. All depends on the size of the entrance and the strength of the colony protecting their honey. I think that the ' analyses' of this beekeeper over finding the reason of surviving of this ( only ) hive , are non sens. He has even build the hives considering his 'whishes' and not taking in account what is the best for the bee-colony. In my opinion he doesn't quite understand how a bee-colony works , or doesn't have enough experience in beekeeping.
@@lymitutit3046 I don't disagree with you. It is also a low sample size (N=1) as Ray Opeongo said above, but it is a hypothesis that needs to be tested. You are probably right that the hive facing north was just a stronger hive and able to protect itself from raiders.
Jim, you're a treasure. Seriously. I hope you know that.
Thanks, Dad!
Beekeeping is local. Hyper-local. You experienced losses and did your level best to find out why, and “fix” the issue(s). Not quite sure why people don’t get it, or give grief over your solution to your problem. I applaud your ingenuity and willingness to really step out on a limb. Beekeepers can be pretty rigid in many respects. I wish you amazing success!
Thank you.
Yeah I agree, some of the things people do and say online are just not applicable in my country.and the location my bees are situated, yet other things they do or say definitely improve conditions for my girls with a little adjustment to local circumstances.
For example, where I am, there are a lot of wasps and some sort of pinky sized murderous cousin of them that can be a real issue.
My solution to it is plastic bottles with holes drilled in them on the side that they can enter but not leave, filled with a layer of beer for them to drown in along with pieces of meat inside and a few drops of vinegar.
My bees don't get attracted to them but it's doing wonders in thinning out these insectoid predators that threaten them, along with the mouse guards that the big wasps can't go through, which also definitely help with reducing the difficulties of defending the hive from the few wasps that do prefer the hunt over the bottles nearby.
Likewise, i found that these traps work better in sunlight and when placed in the most common flight paths of these predators when they approach.
The ones I placed in attics around the area and in shadowy corners rarely catch any, even when places near a common nesting area.
But it's little things like this, the sharing of ideas that can make all the difference for someone facing a simular situation but perhaps in need of a diffrent mixture to deal with the local threats.
Because whilst my bees might be dissuaded from vinegar in beer, someone else's might not.
Likewise, whilst I assume from its use in the video, that wooden legs for the beehive work for vinofarm, they would not here. Instead smooth metal legs work better against things like ants here as otherwise they will try to eat the wood or just crawl up. The materials used mean as much on a local level as everything else involved.
Which is why I consider beekeeping an art not a science. It has too many hyper local variables as you say to be approaches as a universal science that works the exact same for everyone
Your end comments show a level of patience with people who I would not have been patient with that is truly admirable. Thank you for showing the little back door!
I’ve been a carpenter all my 40+ years and you have made a super insulated home as the newer people homes are. Smart reasoning on your part. I will take up your kindness and look forward to a drawing of your hive barn. Ps: a few bucks 5-10 I would be willing to pay as a donation to your great effort. Never give up by reinventing the wheel.
Ive been deep diving beekeeping for the past few weeks and came accross your videos when I was studying the different equipment types. I was drawn to the Lansgtroth setup immeadiately because of Langstroth himself. Fascinating dude. 160 years since the Hive and the Honey Bee was written and its still a great book today.
Gotta say, I really like your take on the Langstroth Hive. We dont get quite as cold as Michigan in the winter in my little glorious corner of Canada (Suburbs of Vancouver BC), but I think the Bee Barn might work fantastically here. It doesnt really get above 90 F in the heat of summer, and never really colder than 26 F, but all that wind and rain protection is GLORIOUS!!!
This is the hive Langstroth would have built if he had access to polystyrene.
The fact that you are open sourcing your new design is most generous of you. That is so awesome. I will be most interested in how it works this year. Congratulations and thanks for all the information.
Yeah, as a unix old timer, that phrase sort of hooked me.
The bees just got upgraded from Marriotts to Hiltons and I'm loving all of it! You did a fantastic job!
Ha ha - maybe upgraded to Four Seasons!
@@dianemilligan7370 Which is owned by Marriott...
It has upgraded from Hiltons to Vinofarm !! :)
@@vikombucha Now I kinda want to stay at a vino farm hotel! lol
What it sounds like to me (a person who just randomly stumbled across your videos and knows nothing about bees) is that you had a hard year and you took the time to think about that failure and the all of the possible causes and you redesigned your bee yard and hives to mitigate as many of those hardships as possible for the bees moving forward. You sound like someone who genuinely cares about your bees and is trying you best to do what is best for them.
You explain yourself VERY WELL! Sorry people don’t get it...your entire history of bee vids show your care and diligence taken for the bees. Your changes are creating a mastery of beekeeping!
When I started beekeeping my mentor - bee buddy told me there is no right way and no wrong way of being a beekeeper. You learn the basics and then it's your way.
No one keeps bee's in the exact same way or bee keeps the same way. Like you i'm trying lots of things, Old Log hive, long box hive and national hives. I'm a bit of a maverick as i'm trying lots of different types of ideas. Three years in and i'm loving it even more. Lots to learn and lots of mistakes to make, but who cares .... not me, I'm too busy enjoying keeping bee's. Another great video Jim keep em coming. Good luck for the season. By the way Love the design. Chris. UK
I absolutely love the way you labeled and named your hives. I wish your bees a happy summer and a productive Fall this year. Thank you for sharing.
Answered every question about the design that I remember having.
Has it been 5 years already? I think I found you while looking into the flow hive to evaluate if it was just a gimmick or a decent product. Then I kept watching and learning with you. You've always been honest and humble. Always willing to admit a mistake, because others might learn from your own shortcomings. I was devastated by the losses over this last winter, I am eternally grateful that at least one hive in the Balboa line survived. I remember the journey that hive went through, being rescued from your neighbor and given a place they could thrive, and did. I'm anticipating the smaller bee yard as good thing. Easier to keep track of who's who.
January 1, 2016, the channel was born. I first touched bees EXACTLY 5 years ago tomorrow: May 15, 2016.
I can't remember how I stumbled onto this channel. I remember watching stuff about this flow-hive thing, watched a guy in Russia trying some plastic hives, but it was Vino farm that made me a subscriber. And while I live on the 5th floor in a small apartment with no chance (or real interest) on keeping bees myself, I find the topic and travails of beekeeping strangely fascinating.
Vino your yard almost looks futuristic.🐝💨🚀
Feels like it, too!
@@vinofarm I like it.
Quite a nice open spread of land.
I will say, the thing I love about this channel and the bees is the CHARACTER of it. I love that all the hives have a lineage, and a story line. I love that each have a name, and I love that they each have their own uniquely decorated hives. I feel the same way about these bees that I would a sports team, or a character in a book, its a really fun investment, with a lot of sentimentality and meaning
I am so happy for you. Your goal is to have “Happy Healthy Bees” I believe in your heart is to increase the Bee population so we All benefit, we need them. Thank you so much for all you do.🐝🐝🐝🐝
I found this channel years ago and got hooked. Anyone who has watched your previous videos knows you do a good job and are very thorough. I work at a nature preserve in East Tennessee where we have bee's and other native wildlife. I have learned that taking care of wildlife is hard and they can get sick and die no matter what you do right or wrong... All in all you do a great job, your kind, innovative, informative, and very entertaining.
In all of the years that I've been watching you (about 4 years now), I have NEVER thought that you were an idiot.
You are someone that learns and grows from the mistakes that you've made throughout the years, changing things to try them out or to make life easier for you/the bees. You're passionate about what you do, and (to me) it really shows! You've come leaps and bounds from the first winter, and you've had losses since then (and also great progress!).
UA-cam is recommending your videos to everyone, and some people just like observing while not understanding what's going on (and others comment like they've been through the exact same problems without offering advice).
However, please understand that there are quite a few of us who love watching you grow, who feel empathy when a harsh drought hits, who like seeing you be happy for your bees (can't wait to meet the new queens and hives, by the way!). Keep doing what you love and what you're passionate for, and we'll stick with you. =)
Much love Vinofarm!
I have been watching for years and I just want to take a moment to appreciate the bee yard bushes that have filled out nicely
Yes! I finally got to use the actual hedge trimmers on them for the first time this year. Up til now it was just snipping the tops.
@@vinofarm they definitely look like they will keep the wind from howling through the bee yard. Good luck to you this year!
I honestly don't understand how anyone could have misunderstood your last few videos. Your point was clear and I understood exactly what you thought process was. I don't keep bees yet so maybe those who misunderstood were caught up in their own biases based on their own beliefs about products you used and mention.
Lol at that last section called "I am not an idiot". Also at all these back seat beekeepers. Your yard and boxes look great. I'm so excited to see how well they do this year. I love watching your videos!
I’m worn out just calculating all the work involved in carrying out the massive endeavor that Mr. Vino undertook.. Impressive
“Open source.” You have no idea how awesome that is, & how much of a “stand up guy” that makes many of us think you are. Great video.
Great video and great hives. One of the most valuable lessons you teach all of us (in my opinion) is to pay attention, to go back and look at cause and effect, to make changes that make sense us and for "our" bees. The goal is to learn and do the very best for our bees that we can. One size rarely fits all. Also, might I suggest a quick and easy change to the hives to make your life a little easier? You may want to glue the foam insulation to the door for your mite board. That way when you pull the door off you get the insulation as well, one quick and easy move. Just a thought. Anyway, keep up the great work.
Anyone who has followed you for ay amount of time knows you and loves you for your thoughtfulness, honesty, problem solving, and inventive nature. We learn with you, and support you and your endeavors. As a neighbor im absolutely blown away by your bee barns and the way you thought to insulate against the ridiculous cold weather. I applaud you and hope to see more. We missed you all winter long, but im glad to see your progression into spring!
"Bees have trouble moving horizontally opposed to vertically." Exactly!!! That's why I didn't go with a horizontal hive. And I think your design would be great in the South, that insulation would really help with temperature regulation during our summers. I for one would love a set of plans and parts list!!
I have horizontal hives and they do great, I do natural hives, I don't feed them I use swarms of local feral bees and don't use chemicals to treat just like in nature. I just give them a home not in a tree. But I am trying one of these as well and put a new swarm in it with my own tweaks.
I'm in northern Sweden, and top bar hives and horizontal hives work great here, and we can have 3-4 weeks with continuous temperatures of -15 to -25°C, and our winters are looong!
The best part- you're excited about beekeeping again. Love the deep dive you took. Mechanics, design, numbers etc. Remember you also have land if you need a 2nd yard for fewer hives, less pressure and less robbing. My number to keep it fun is 5 production hives 1 resource hive. Creativity is your thing Jim. Glad you're back.
Your property and beeyard looks fantastic now. I never comment but I have been a subscriber for a few years. Love your channel and look forward to this seasons updates
I'm in Australia and have watched your videos for 2 years now. I am SO grateful for experiences and attitude to sharing your knowledge. Your new bee hives are PIMPING and I am very much looking forward to sharing your continued journey. Thanks for being an inspiration across the globe! (We know you are not an idiot!! :)) HAPPY BEE KEEPING.
Well said. And people don't realize just how much time this will save you in the long run. Time is valuable. Being more efficient is huge.
Stop letting the internet trolls get to you.
You’ve done so much to help me get started and I appreciate all you do.
You take the time to make these videos and that’s more than 99% of people will do.
Trolls I can handle. It’s when I am completely misunderstood or if falsehoods about me are being spread across platforms, I feel the need to say something. I am fine with trolls.
@@vinofarm that’s pretty much what I meant but just used trolls.
Seems a lot of people online just want to find any issue or any thing to complain about.
It brings them up to bring others down in any way.
Regardless keep it up I’m sure there are more of us than them.
You are always thinking, always learning, always improving. I have been beekeeping 3 years now. I’ve been watching you the entire time. You just said a couple things that I can take and use- switch to individual stands, and quality not quantity.
You and I both went from a few hives , to a ton of hives in a couple years. We both found out it’s a lot of work. We have both had great success and some failures. Beekeeping is a hobby that takes many many years to get a grip on. It’s hard at times to maintain a high level of interest, especially when overwhelmed with the work. Thanks for sharing g what you do. I needed this one.
Love the bee barns. My children and I love watching your videos and we have recently become beekeepers inspired in large part by you. Keep up the good work.... top notch entertainment and information.
Hello Jim. Im nick and I'm a 4 year virginia beekeeper and I've lost my share of hives. Had 16 hives going in to winter and I came out of winter with 7 hives. So I know exactly what you've been dealing with. But what you've done with your own enhancements of your hives is absolutely spectacular. Really. It's very ideal because the thicken you've made the walls of your hives is the same as the walls of a hollow tree. You never cease to amaze me Jim. And your vino farm channel had really taught me alot in the past few years of being a beekeeper. Keep up the good work and good luck in the future.
I just wanted to say I love your reduce, reuse and recycle method to your bee keeping. I had a hard time keeping up with your videos last year because of how many hives you had (no fault of your own) but if you missed an episode it was hard to remember. I love that you made the hives easier to follow again and your whole growth and discovery of what works for you!! Leave those who aren't listening to your message behind, they don't actually want to hear you and want beekeeping to stay how it is so they don't have to adapt. KEEP IT UP VINO BEES!
Don't take the crap from the people on the internet seriously. Try not to internalize it. Your new hives look great. Your bees are in good hands. You've got this!
I really am loving the way you are thinking 💛 beekeeping is the ultimate science experiment! Happy Keeping my friend!
The new layout and improvements are awesome. Your passion and care for the bees shines through, but also your skills and innovation in trying to do things better for the bees and for yourself.
Although I have no beekeeping experience I work as an engineer and design is an important part of my job, I am blown away by the level of detail and carefully thought improvements on the hive (taking the best of several systems + your own inventions) and a very practical layout. Well done and happy beekeeping, I hope the bees enjoy their new home as much as we enjoy watching your videos!
So smart! Pandemics and pests love concentrated populations, and several studies have proven drift is common for aligned hives. Wide open spaces seem to be more healthy for all creatures. Congrats on the new apiary. Looking forward to watching a new summer to see how the girls like their new digs.
I love your mind and heart for bees. I EAGERLY wait for you to post every week. You are doing an awesome job, please don't stop!!!!!!!!!!
In these years you have gone from a bee student, to a bee problem solver, to a bee teacher, and to a bee innovator. In our own crafts we are always learning to be better and do better and I think you are paving the way for some interesting problem solving for northern beekeepers. I'm bummed that others missed the mark on what you were trying to accomplish but I think you explained for yourself quite well what you mean to do. Always rooting for you here!
I am sorry to hear that you received so much critical feedback over the beekeeping vs the bee housing. Your videos on the bee barns are exactly on point with the same issues that I have been struggling with as a beekeeper in Chicago’s brutal weather. As an engineer, I have also been pondering that the traditional pine wood boxes seem to have been designed for a milder climate. Illinois has some of the biggest temperature differences between summer and winter in the US. I will be building these for sure. Beekeepers are often a traditional bunch. Keep innovating! 🚀
You help the bees 🐝 and keepers tremendously. It is genius! Everyone should make something that works for them.
Jim, I so appreciate your honesty and I for one am stoked to follow you on your journey! Thanks for sharing!
Jim, I am truly impressed by your new yard. It looks so much cleaner and less cluttered. Jim if anyone has ever watch your videos, they know you are not a careless beekeeper. Your recycling in equipment is genius. I would love it if you would make plans available. If everyone uses the same old same old, we would never have all the different types of hives. I adventure to say some might be jealous they didn't have the courage to move something different. You are a great beekeeper.
MY SHORT TIME OF FOLLOWING YOUR JOURNEY, THE STUFF BETWEEN THE LINES, THIS TELLS ME A LOT ABOUT YOU AS A PERSON! 3 ARIAS STAND OUT!
# 1 HUSBANDRY
#2 HUMILITY
#3 PURPOSEFUL THOUGHTFUL... ( INNOVATION!)
IN SUMMARY... A GREAT BEEKEEPER! TO YOU, A BIG THUMBS UP! IF THERE WAS A #4 RESPECTFUL!
I think you did an amazing job of altering the hive to meet your Apiary's needs. Just like techniques, you do what suits you! If I were in your climate, I would definitely want to mimic your adaptation. AWESOME, AMAZING JOB!!!!!
Thank you for your videos. I truly appreciate all your honesty and upfront-ness with everything you have always done. I know you've said it before in numerous videos but you do what works for you and never have you ever said this is what will work for everyone or this is the new way. I really can't wait to see the progress with these hives. Thank you for all your videos and continued ideas.
Jim, your video's get better every time. I have a coworker that has a few hives like me. We can't wait for your video's to come out them we talk about them during our breaks.
Well done! I am in the South East / Georgia/ You're a great thinker, great presenter, great teacher, and great human. My videos don't hold a candle, but our shared experiences online do add to beekeeping locally, even globally. Other beekeepers sharing their experiences adds to the vast knowledge base for us all to keep an open mind and not be afraid to try new ideas. Thank you, again, for stimulating beekeeping for us all!
Thank you.
I love your mindset of no greed ! Balance !
Jim I love what you do. I learn so much watching your videos. Your yard does have a good feel. I look forward to seeing it evolve
You are a bee-keeping genius! Your videos are truly amazing. Your determination has saved us years of fumbling around. Perhaps you are a scientist, because you observe, question everything, and recalibrate. After watching your innovative videos and reading an article by William Hesbach, we prepared our hives as suggested to mimic the over-wintering conditions inside the trunk of a tree. Everything you said is true! Insulation was the key. Very high survival rates despite miserable weather conditions. Your videos are a treasure. Can't thank you enough!
Almost 100K subscribers! It is completely deserved because you are a great story teller. I am looking forward to some happy stories this Spring and Summer!
Different locations, different situations. Vast expanse of knowledge. I'm a first year Beek, trying to learn, and I'm taking away a lot of info. Continue to do your thing. Please some of the people some of the time.....
The nerd level of problem solving and “open source” comments gave me such a thrill. You are awesome sir, ignore naysayers!
I hope that what you have deduced as the cause of your loses and what you have done to compensate is correct and that it works out. The modifications to the hive equipment are pretty cool. You clearly put a lot of thought into the equipment and the bee"Keeping". Rock on, dude.
The yard looks great! I'm praying you have a better year.
I continue to be impressed with your thought processes in figuring out fixes for problems you were having (and of course, that's the core - fixing YOUR problems, not every beekeeper's). Really curious to see how - if at all - you apply these ideas to your resource nucs. Since you've overwintered nucs in the past, certainly seems like there would be room for a "Bee Barn Nuc", but seeing the cinder block stands in the middle of the yard makes me wonder if that is a project for a future year…
I never thought you were doing anything but making beekeeping better for your bees and easier for you. Show me a beekeeper of any age that doesn't have a backache.
I've watched you for a long time. You are sincere, you are funny and interesting. I have enjoyed watching you grow in your beekeeping adventure.
Your new hives are beautiful and functional.
Susan
NW Georgia
Hi Jim, great video, I must say I really enjoy your insight into bee keeping. It’s helped me a lot and has enabled me to head off problems before they occurred. PS the apiary is looking great and I’m sure the bees will be happy. 👍👍👍
Jim, very nice....everything! That's it! Just keep on 'Keeping' on my friend! (Thanks for taking the time!!)
Jim, as a second year beekeeper, I have always appreciated your videos. They are some of my favorites and I come back to the time and time again because you share your thought process. Part of beekeeping is learning how to think through issues that pop up and it helps to hear how others are critically thinking. What some people online forget is that these are your bees in your bee yard. I don’t understand how people can be ugly about what you decide to do with your bees. I saw your bee yard reconfiguration and redesign of your equipment as making the best of the situation you had. You took the opportunity to change some things that would be better for the bees and you. Beekeeping can be so expensive, so the fact that you built on what you already had on hand is helpful to a lot of people. And I am so grateful that you discussed the horizontal hive. I had considered trying one but am having second thoughts now. Thank you for all that you are doing!
Thanks for the footage 🦶, and keep up the great work! 👍 You definitely have some innovative ways to address problems for your area. Each year will continue to bring new problems and solutions, that's what makes it so much fun. Love to watch how you continue to grow.
I kept bees while overseas. Now back in the US starting over with beekeeping and this has been a great upgrade. So I am a year late from comments, and I Appreciate the sharing with others and your efforts to give credit to whom it belongs and the fact you are focus on helping others develop their colonies plus I take away your desire to not be in it for a selfish profit gain ( though you could patent a modification kit to the already popular method). Thank you. Major respect. I will watch and share all the rest of the your videos.
This design turn, both in the bee yard and the hive adaptations, are amazing for the hobby bee keeper. Thank you so much for taking us along with your bee keeping evolution. ✊🏻
Quality of videos has been bumped up a notch, and more frequent too. Gotta love it.
Well done Jim your orientation of the hives will dramatically reduce drifting, your lack of landing boards is good, I don't use landing boards, it's a beekeeper thing, bees in trees don't look for that design. One modification you can do with your entrances now that they are 4 1/4" deep, when you have a wasp problem, you can insert wooden battens into the entrances to reduce them down to 1" entrance, which will make it easier to defend, wasps don't like going down long tunnels. Alternatively use electrical plastic trunking, to make the wasps enter sideways again this is easier for the bees to defend.
I'm calling it the "Vino Villa". I appreciate the information you have shared over the years :) Thank you.
Jim, kudos for continuing to experiment. That is how we learn. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's all part of the fun. I switched to north-facing entrances 5-years and have had zero robbing issues. ;-)
The way you've thought and dissected the problem that you've had is fantastic and the solution is top notch. I really like the Bee Barn, the way you've designed it and the reorganisation of the Bee Yard is straight out of the text books. It's very admirable that you may offer out the design, I'd be really interested in it. Although my winters aren't as harsh as yours, I think I'd get the benefit from it in the summer months. I'm sure your not, but I'm looking forward to the winter months and how every thing develops. Impressive craft skills as well.
Thank you.
You are an inspiration Jim. Thank you for continuing to spend the time making these videos!
love the way you have adjusted your hives....
i dont know anything about bee keeping. i just enjoy the videos and find them relaxing. though i think you should call them bee temples lol
Love watching your honest videos. We learn from them so just want to say thank you :)
Apart from your deep thoughts and your ingeniousness, I absolutely adore your woodworking skills. These hives look amazing. I'd love to have such a nice home!
Love the videos!! So informative and real. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!
I love that your so creative and invested. You inspire me to want to go build something! That’s always super fun and rewarding. I love your videos. You always put yourself out there, win or lose. You don’t quit. Please keep it up. I’m glued to your new hive videos... ingenious.
I love that you shared your design so that everyone can improve their hives and to give you perspective for future hives, I think this way of thinking should be applied to so many other mediums for overall quality.
I follow you, bearded beekeeper, dirtrooster, Tennessee bee keeper and Canadian keeper. but no matter of what I've watched or even used, these are top notch builds in my book and you do indeed give enough information to build my own. These is nothing wrong with making life easier for you and your bees. Thank you and keep it up, perhaps another brain explosion can lead to other innovations as well.
I totally understand the both/and that happened with the bee barns and working on your beekeeping skills. Yes there was a huge loss and (honestly my heartbroke so I can't imagine yours.) you started looking at everything to find solutions.
People who have been watching your videos for years have heard you talk about the frustrations you have had with the old hives and have seen the modifications you did to try to make them work in your climate. As a Canadian bee keeper I understand the frustration of weather and short seasons etc.
And you did the autopsies of the hives and put a plan into place for the next season. I feel like you really covered all your bases and did an amazing job handling a really hard situation.
The bee yard looks so much better now, great work, thanks for posting.
Your excitement is palpable and I love it! I can’t wait to see how things go
Good luck Jim, I really like your idea and good for you for doing something to avoid another disaster
Your organization and problem solving is so satisfying. I recently have gotten UA-cam to suggest lots of beekeeping videos and other bee keepers don’t compare to how beautiful your hives and bee yard is. Thank you for your videos. Very satisfying to watch and lots of knowledge shed in every video 🤘🏼
First and foremost, you have to respect the passion! What you are doing is very respectable. I absolutely love that you are trying to look at the box and not just in or outside the box! Not literally. I got out of bees this year because ALL of mine died from the crazy freeze we had. I was not prepared for temps like that. Not normal here. Thank you sir for the fantastic content.
Was just making my new year resolution….I’m 82, so thinking it TIME TO GIVE UP BEE KEEPING (which I love, but getting just to hard to work the hives.) …. so watched one more bee video. BINGO, get rid of my cement block setup, build a half dozen “VINO” brood boxes and I’m good for a couple of more years….. A BIG BIG THANK YOU! A happy and beefun year to you!!!
Such a great solution to your environment. And such a wonderful and generous approach to helping other people and the bees they care for. Thank you very much. I’m a newbie with so much to learn.
I completely understand where you are coming from. You saw an issue and you improved what you had to make things better.
Loved this video! Love what you did with the yard. And the bee barn is a wonderful idea. I appreciate the honesty you express about yourself and your way of life. You have to do you. No one else is living your life. I’m really looking forward to future videos to see how things are going with the new set up...love the new names of the barns! 🥰😃
Great job finding out how they survived. Your yard is beautiful. I like your new yard and your new goals for quality not quantity. I like watching your videos because not only is your environment like ours in Alaska (LONG winters) but you explain your reasons and solutions well and with great thought and caring of the future of your bees. You are always looking to be a better bee keeper and it shows. Thank you for sharing.
Jim, thank you for the video. You are a great beekeeper, very thoughtful about what you do. The solutions you came up with will or won't work but you're trying. Additionally, you're taking the time to share the process with online beekeeping community. Your videos are top notch and I can't wait for you to post new ones. A lot of factors play into why bees die. With a national loss of ~40% annually it's unfair for people to judge any one beekeeper in one year. Like your other viewers, I can't wait to see how this new chapter in your bee yard progresses. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
I loved the bee barn video and I felt like you were really clear that you hoped it would work out better for both you and the bees with your new designs. I'm surprised anyone misunderstood what you were intending. I hope you don't take any of those negative comments to heart. I've been following you since year 2 when I stumbled came across your videos. I love how you care for your bees and explain what you're doing and why. Don't stop, you're doing amazing!
Bee hive with permanent insulation is what I always think of but rarely see anyone using it. Your design really reflect my thought about better bee hive (large continuous brood area, permanent insulation, top honey flow entrance). I'm looking forward to see the results.
There's a chance this could be perfect. A chance....
You are truly an impressive individual on so many levels. Fantastic job with both the hives and the analytical portion of beekeeping. Really looking forward following along your new chapter.
Don’t worry about the trolls and don’t respond to them, they love the attention. For every one troll there are hundreds if not thousands who like and appreciate your content. Trolls will be Trolls.
Great Video. Looking Forward to the upcoming season. Love the new design.
I am in Canada this year our hives are unbelievably bee numerous this was because of the weather mild winter, heavy feeding in spring and taking care of mites with strips immediately. Your hives are fantastic creations but most of us could not duplicate your energy, costs or mindfulness having said that I can’t wait to see you have a successful season.