Beekeeping is nothing new—the ancient Egyptians were well versed in the benefits of living with bees—but in recent years, there has been a surge of folks struck with the desire to build and nurture a hive of their own. Beekeeping has become the passion of farmers in rural Vermont, urbanites with rooftops in LA, and thousands of people in between. This book is for beginners and experts alike, with all the basic information you need to get started, as well as stories and tips that will inspire and instruct the most seasoned beekeeper.

In this guide, you will learn how to:

Choose a spot for your hive
Build a hive with simple tools and materials
Buy bees or attract them to your hive
Harvest the fruits of the bees’ labor
Make beeswax candles and lip balm
Utilize honey, wax, and propolis for medicinal purposes
And much more!

Cummings offers readers something truly unique—a book that comes alongside you like a wise friend, offering sage advice as well as humorous anecdotes and fascinating interviews with beekeepers across the country. Equally good for reading while curled up inside during the long winter as for carrying with you to the hives mid-summer, this will be a welcome addition to any bee enthusiast’s library.

Dede Cummings is the author of The Organic Composting Handbook and coauthor of The Medicinal Gardening Handbook. She is a publisher, book agent, avid gardener, and healthy living enthusiast. She lives in Brattleboro, Vermont, in a house built by her husband, Steve Carmichael.