Setting Up the Bee Yard

Today we’re setting up the bee yard. Okay, bee yard might be a bit of an overstatement, given that we’re putting one nuc into one hive. But this is the start of a bigger effort for us.
I’ll start by saying that I over-engineered this space (big surprise). What I’ve done here is not necessary. I tilled the space, put in drainage tile, put down geotex fabric to keep down the weed growth, topped with gravel and then fenced the yard. All of this before putting down cement block and treated 4” x 6”s as my hive stand. A lot of work, especially since I had to complete most of it in a two-day window before my bees were ready to be picked up. But we got it in, as the nuc is getting installed tomorrow.
My name is Joe. My family and I live in southwest PA on our 22 acre farmstead. I’m a white collar guy, but I was raised a farm boy in northern West Virginia. Around 2012 I had a shift in perspective. I began to see more value in the lessons I learned growing up; the importance of a family garden, the value of land, a renewed joy in hunting and fishing to feed my family (and to get away from my phone).
Over the years we suburb-steaded as best we could, raising berries and fruit trees, growing mushrooms, growing a pretty extensive garden, etc. But it just wasn’t where we wanted to be. In the winter of 2018 we moved onto our new 22 acre homestead, and we’re loving it.
Join is as we walk the path to self-sufficiency. We’ll show you things we already know well, and you’ll learn beside us on the things that are new to us. 2019 enterprises include a laying flock of chickens, beekeeping, and a large market garden. 2020 will likely include installing a pond, berries at scale, a small orchard, and expanding garden.
To learn more, visit our website at selfsufficientpath.com.