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Learn Beekeeping + Empower Your Inner Alpha!

Learn Beekeeping + Empower Your Inner Alpha!

Question: Should homesteaders grow high-maintenance crops that provide specialty or niche products (like saffron or truffles), or focus on low-maintenance crops that are easier to grow?

Cedie Omaña
October 27, 2024

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Self-sufficiency is the greatest form of freedom."
— Epicurus

HOMESTEAD TIP OF THE DAY

Spread compost or manure over garden beds – it’s like giving your soil a big, delicious meal before winter hibernation.

Should homesteaders grow high-maintenance crops that provide specialty or niche products (like saffron or truffles), or focus on low-maintenance crops that are easier to grow?

IN TODAY'S EDITION

Homestead Tip 🌱
Poll Results From Last Thursday 📊
All Things Homestead: Getting Started with Beekeeping 🐝
Personal Development: Embracing the Alpha Female Within 👩
Today's Top Picks 🛍️
Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

The Ultimate Guide to Foraging Wild Foods!

Ever look at a berry during your hike and wonder if you could eat it? "The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods" is here to help! With this guide, you'll:

Easily identify plants with super clear photos.
Learn the special features to look for.
Find out where plants grow with handy maps.
Discover which plants are safe and which to avoid.
Get simple recipes to try with your wild finds.

Grab your copy now and make every walk an adventure! 🌿

Click the photo below to see what's inside and grab your guide! 🌱

POLL RESULTS FROM LAST THURSDAY

Should homesteaders rely on natural predators to control pests, or is it acceptable to use organic pesticides when necessary?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Natural predators should always be the first line of defense.

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Organic pesticides are okay when the situation demands it.

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ A balance between encouraging predators and using organic pesticides is best.

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ It depends on the severity of the pest issue.

via @beehiiv polls

Feel free to participate in fun polls in our next newsletters! 😉

Also, follow us on Facebook and Pinterest for daily homesteading inspiration and updates.

ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

Getting Started with Beekeeping 🐝

Ever thought about starting your own beehive? Whether you're after fresh honey or want to boost your garden's pollination, beekeeping is a rewarding homestead skill. It might seem a little overwhelming at first, but don’t worry—it’s easier than it looks, and the rewards are sweet!

Why Start Beekeeping?

Beekeeping gives you two big benefits: fresh honey and better pollination for your plants. Honey bees are fantastic for helping your garden thrive. Plus, who wouldn’t love having their own stash of home-harvested honey?

What You’ll Need to Start

Before you jump in, here’s a quick list of essentials to get started:

Beehive Kit: You’ll need boxes (brood boxes for the queen and honey supers for honey), a bottom board, and a cover.
Bees: Get yourself a colony—usually, that’s a queen, workers, and drones. You can buy them from local suppliers.
Beekeeper Suit: Stay safe with a full suit, gloves, and a veil to protect from stings.
Smoker: A smoker helps calm your bees while you’re working with the hive.
Hive Tool: This handy tool helps you open the boxes and move the frames.

Setting Up Your Hive

Find a sunny spot, ideally facing southeast, where the bees can stay warm and active. Keep the hive away from high-traffic areas but close enough to your garden to help with pollination. Bees love sun, so avoid too much shade!

Caring for Your Bees

Once your bees are buzzing, regular maintenance is key:

Check the Hive: Every 7-10 days, open the hive to ensure the queen is laying eggs and everything looks healthy. Watch for pests like mites or wax moths.
Feed the Bees: In early spring or late fall when flowers are scarce, give your bees some sugar water to help them out.
Pest Control: Keep an eye out for varroa mites and other pests. Regular checks and treatments will keep your bees healthy.

Harvesting Honey

Your bees will start filling the honey supers by late summer. Only harvest when the bees have enough honey left for themselves (they need about 60-80 pounds to get through winter). Use a honey extractor or the crush-and-strain method for fresh honey right from your hive.

Prepping for Winter

When the cold hits, bees need help staying warm:

Insulate the Hive: Wrap the hive with insulation to keep the bees cozy.
Leave Honey for the Bees: Make sure they have enough stored honey to survive the winter.
Entrance Reducer: Use an entrance reducer to keep out cold air and pests like mice.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Embracing the Alpha Female Within 👩

Being an alpha female isn’t about being bossy or loud—it’s about confidently owning your choices, leading with grace, and taking control of your life.

So, What Exactly is an Alpha Female?

Alpha females tend to have a few standout traits that help them thrive:

Confidence: She trusts herself and doesn’t shy away from challenges.
Leadership: She’s the one people naturally turn to, whether it’s making decisions at work or organizing something at home.
Assertiveness: She knows how to say what she needs, set boundaries, and stand by them—all without being pushy.

The great thing? You don’t have to be born with these traits. You can work on them, starting with a few simple steps.

Building Confidence (One Step at a Time)

Confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built by stepping outside of your comfort zone and proving to yourself that you can handle whatever comes your way. Want to feel more confident? Try starting with something small, like tackling a new project you’ve been putting off. Maybe you’ve wanted to expand your garden or finally start that DIY project—now’s the time!

Stepping Into Leadership

Leadership isn’t about being in charge of everything. It’s about inspiring others and setting an example.

For example, maybe you’re organizing a local community event or planning a big homestead project like building a chicken coop. Being the one who steps up to guide the process naturally grows your leadership skills.

Practicing Assertiveness

Let’s face it—saying “no” can be hard. But being assertive is a key part of being an alpha female.

So next time you feel overwhelmed or stretched too thin, take a deep breath and say "no" or set a clear boundary. It doesn’t have to be harsh; you can still be kind and direct.

Taking Charge of Your Life and Career

Whether it’s at home or in your career, embracing your alpha side means taking control. At home, it could be about prioritizing self-care or focusing on what really matters to you and your family. At work, it’s knowing your worth, asking for what you deserve, and not waiting for opportunities to fall in your lap.