Bees have arrived at Lullingstone!

Beekeeping is all the rage so we thought we'd have a go too. We are going to let our bees settle in during the Autumn and Winter and gear up for Lullingstone World Garden honey in 2012.

Each hive will be home to around 60,000 bees in the Winter, rising to 120,000 in the Summer. The Garden is already abuzz.

The Dartford Beekeepers' Association is currently providing all the technical support to Lullingstone and a huge thank you to them. William, almost 91 years old, can be seen on the left, checking the hives.

On Monday 29th August 2011 Mick Brown and William gave our first beekeeping demonstration - watch this space for lots of bee events in 2012!

Why Bees?

They pollinate our crops
Some say as much as 1/3 of our food is pollinated by bees - including fruit, vegetables and nuts. In 2007, the National Audit Office estimated the value of the bees' services at £200m a year. The retail value of what they pollinate was valued closer to £1bn.

They provide us with honey and beeswax
There are many uses for both honey and beeswax, including for consumption, candle-making and medicinal purposes.

They help plant variation
Through cross-pollination seed production is increased, contributing to floral diversity.
 

Useful Links

Dartford Beekeepers' Association

The British Beekeepers' Association

Vanishing of the Bees documentary