Beekeeping at FiveApple

By Leigh WilkersonLeisure Hobbies Home & Garden

Beekeeping at FiveApple episodes

September 18, 2025 Ep 140 Vitamin C for bees??
In today's podcast, how a backyard experiment led me to find a bunch of research to back up that Vit C added to bee syrup can make a difference for bee health! Plus what's up in the bee yard, wonderful email from listeners, and the usual wandering tangents that somehow all relate to bees! kind regards, Leigh
PS. Patrons: watch for your exclusive post this weekend with extensive links on the research and other fascinating info I've found on feeding of late.
--
https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free.
In addition to huge gratitude, you get:
• Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
• Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
• occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
• Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
• Input on the podcast topics
• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!

If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

About Beekeeping at Five Apple:
Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (gardening zone 6b). She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

50 min
September 04, 2025 Ep 139 Pollen! A deeper dive
Hope you enjoy this podcast geek out on pollen and its uses in the hive and how critical it is to the colony's success.
Patrons: If you have any portions you would enjoy knowing more about, just let me know and I'll share the links to the sites and presentations I used to research this episode!
Wishing you all a beautiful Fall season, a generous fall nectar and pollen flow in your area, and fat bees being raised for winter!
kind regards, Leigh
--
https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free.
In addition to huge gratitude, you get:
• Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
• Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
• occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
• Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
• Input on the podcast topics
• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!

If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

About Beekeeping at Five Apple:
Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (gardening zone 6b). She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

37 min
August 23, 2025 Ep 138: The Bear Story & BONUS audio bookmark for Patrons
Today I'll tell you the unfortunate bear story and how the hives are doing...then, the full episode continues on Patreon with the bonus audio I've promised patrons: an explainer on how the age distribution in a colony (the topic of the last ABJ article I read to you) impacts your beekeeping and the health of the hive, including some important August tasks in the bee yard as a result. It's a way I say thank you to the Patrons, whose support keeps this podcast going!
--
https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible, who keep the archives available and who keep it all advertising-free.
In addition to huge gratitude, you get:
• Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
• Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
• occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
• Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
• Input on the podcast topics
• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!

If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple

About Beekeeping at Five Apple:
Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (gardening zone 6b). She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

24 min
August 08, 2025 Ep 137 August Tips
It's my least favorite month of beekeeping, August, aka Grumpy Bee Month. Here are some tips to help you and the bees get through it the best we all can. Kind regards to you all and patrons, you keep this all going: Thank you! --Leigh

--
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible and keep it advertising-free. In addition to huge gratitude, you get:

• Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
• Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
• occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
• Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
• Input on the podcast topics
• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!

If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
--
About Beekeeping at Five Apple:
Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (gardening zone 6b). She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

32 min
July 17, 2025 Ep 136 Post-conference ramble
Ep 136 Post-conference ramble
A few thoughts after a day of the NC State Beekeepers Association summer conference day last Saturday / Back Care Tips / Details of the why and how of feeding in summer-dearth or to get comb drawn out / and general bee ramblings!
Are you looking for the notes on the presentation I gave at the conference on "Smart Splitting?" If so please email me! Email is fiveapple [dot] bees [at] gmail.com
--
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible and keep it advertising-free. In addition to huge gratitude, you get:

• Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
• Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
• occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
• Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
• Input on the podcast topics
• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!

If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
--
About Beekeeping at Five Apple:
Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (gardening zone 6b). She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

40 min
June 20, 2025 Ep 135 Bee Radio Reader: Division of Labor in a Colony, part 2 (ABJ March 2024)
Part 2 of a radio-reader episode of Kayla deJong's March 2024 article on the division of labor in a colony. It's fascinating to remember the many roles the bees move through in a lifetime!
If you are a subscriber to American Bee Journal you can read the article in the digital archives : https://americanbeejournal.com/
If you are not a subscriber then here's your chance! Enter you special number in the comments on this Patreon post (details in the episode. :-) Free and open to everyone, not just patrons.
I appreciate each and every one of you patrons and listeners,
Leigh
--
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible and keep it advertising-free. In addition to huge gratitude, you get:

• Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
• Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
• occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
• Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
• Input on the podcast topics
• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!

If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
--
About Beekeeping at Five Apple:
Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (gardening zone 6b). She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

32 min
June 08, 2025 Ep 134 Bee Radio Reader: Division of Labor in a Colony, part 1 (ABJ March 2024)
A radio-reader episode of Kayla deJong's article in American Bee Journal March 2024 on the division of labor in a colony. It's fascinating to remember the many roles the bees move through in a lifetime! This is part one of two.
If you are a subscriber to American Bee Journal you can read the article in the digital archives : https://americanbeejournal.com/
If you are not a subscriber then here's your chance! Enter you special number on this free page (details in episode) over on Patreon.
I appreciate each and every one of you patrons and listeners,
Leigh
--
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible and keep it advertising-free. In addition to huge gratitude, you get:

• Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
• Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
• occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
• Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
• Input on the podcast topics
• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!

If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
--
About Beekeeping at Five Apple:
Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (gardening zone 6b). She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

26 min
May 24, 2025 Ep 133 Queen Excluders: the good the bad etc
Ep 133 Queen Excluders: the good the bad etc--
A wonderful patron asked that I talk about the pros and cons of using queen excluders so that is the subject of today's episode. Detailed show notes (all the resources I used to prepare today's episode) are available for patrons for further exploration of the MANY opinions on this piece of equipment.
https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
Not a patron yet? You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible and keep it advertising-free. In addition to huge gratitude, you get:

• Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
• Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
• occasional bonus podcasts and early access episodes
• Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
• Input on the podcast topics
• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!

If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
--
About Beekeeping at Five Apple:
Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (gardening zone 6b). She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.
45 min
May 08, 2025 Ep 132: Keeping Records & Letter about Layens Hives
Springtime greetings to you all! Part one of today's episode is a chat on the evolution of how I keep records in my own apiary, in hopes there may be helpful ideas for your own. Then part two is a wonderful letter about experiences with Layens Hive beekeeping from listener William along with some of the great gadgets he has developed for working with them.
Today's patreon page is FREE and open to everyone so you can all see the photos he shared. Here's the link:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-132-keeping-128457959
Thank you SO much William for taking the time to share your experience and the photos. Your observations are important for folks to consider who are thinking of going Layens. Plus, the gadgets you have problem-solved with are excellent!
Thank you to every Patron and listener who support the podcast! If there are topics you have been wondering about and would like me to explore, please reply on the Patreon post! Hope you have a wonderful week! --Leigh
--
You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible and keep it advertising-free. In addition to huge gratitude, you get:

• Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
• Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
• bonus podcasts and early access episodes
• Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
• Input on the podcast topics
• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!

If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
--
About Beekeeping at Five Apple:
Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (gardening zone 6b). She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

43 min
April 25, 2025 Ep. 131 The best for last: Reverse Doolittle Split (and Split Dynamics review)
This episodes concludes the series on splits, with the best saved for last: The Reverse Doolittle, aka The Cutdown. (Best for intermediate beekeepers. ) Also, a review of split dynamics for beginners.
Exclusive for patrons on the Patreon post are links for the how-to, drawing of the whole process, and the complete handout for the splits talk I gave to a few bee clubs on this topic: https://www.patreon.com/posts/ep-131-best-for-127402747

--
https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
You are warmly invited to become a Friend of Five Apple on Patreon to join the folks who make the podcasts possible and keep it advertising-free. In addition to huge gratitude, you get:

• Detailed show notes with links, tips, comments
• Access to Patreon blog posts including tips and videos
• bonus podcasts and early access episodes
• Commenting on posts (and DMs) allows me to answer questions
• Input on the podcast topics
• Shout-outs on the show because I appreciate you!

If you can support the show with $3 a month or more, please sign up today: https://www.patreon.com/fiveapple
--
About Beekeeping at Five Apple:
Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (gardening zone 6b). She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.
51 min