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Newsletter – June 2026

by Laura Winters – June 2026

Spring is wrapping up and we have been just as busy as the bees!!!!

While managing honeybee colonies on our locations for agricultural valuation for property owners, we are also mentoring and teaching classes at Owenwood Farm and Neighbor Space – with big thanks to Grow […]

Propagating Pollinator Plants

This year I *really* noticed the Western Soapberry trees in the North Texas (North of Dallas / Ft Worth MetroMess) area during their bloom, and the pollinators all over the trees while in bloom. I suspect this was a 2nd bloom for the year. My time really noticing them was from the end of May […]

Big Fix for Cheap NUC Boxes

For the last 2 years, one of the NUC / Bee suppliers has been using CHEAP NUC boxes. They resemble the higher quality Jester EZ Nuc Boxes – however – there’s a huge difference that’s not necessarily noticed until it gets HOT outside.

I was making splits, and had a umber of these boxes – […]

Simple Hive Stands

These hive stands are strong, hold the hives to a proper height for easy inspections – and are quick to make with simple tools.

Most of the ones I make are 8′ long – and hold 4 hives easily – or 5 that are pretty tight. So I use 2 stands for most bee yards […]

Equipment Build – Solar Wax Melter (Broke Boy SWM)

Broke Boy Solar Wax Melter – BBSWM

This solar wax melter is one that was cobbled together in the time-frame of about 2012. I call it the “Broke Boy Solar Wax Melter”.

Commercially sold solar wax melters for the hobby market – are currently (2024) marketed at prices ranging from $170-$350. For something that is […]

Free Plans and Video – Leopold Bench/ DIY Back Yard Bench

The attached video and plans will show how the bench designed by Aldo Leopold is cut and assembled.

These plans are freely available – and I ask that you watch my video on building your own. Though – watching the video is not necessary – it is helpful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leopold […]

Pallet Porch Couches

At one time – I wanted to be a Palleteer!

A friend mentioned that she’s like some benches to sit on and enjoy her back porch. I figured I could help out with that – and move along some of the stack of pallets I’d accumulated for such projects.

Unfortunately, these are all the pics […]

Easy to build bench

A friend was needing a spot for guests to sit and remove / put back on shoes before entering her home and leaving the home.

This is a very simple design, made with a scrap 2×8 – cut in half, and scrap 2×4’s cut to the shape of a box – to form the legs. […]

Come to YAM for your honey this Saturday!

Come to Yoga Art Music (YAM Dallas) this coming Saturday for their Small Business Saturday from 1pm-5pm to get your Holiday honey and support several small local businesses.

We will be at: 9850 Walnut Hill Ln (Suite 427), Dallas Tx 75238. Saturday, Nov 26 2022 – 1pm-5pm

As a bonus – if you are […]

NUCS – Bees for sale – Nucleus Colonies for 2021

2021 – Orders for Harmony Hollow nucleus colonies (NUC) are NO LONGER being accepted for 2021 delivery. **UPDATE 3-25-2021 – CURRENTLY SOLD OUT – MORE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE SUMMER ** **UPDATE 4-14-2021 – QUEENS ARE SCHEDULED FOR DELIVERY BY THE END OF APRIL. THE FREEZE HAS AFFECTED MOST AGRICULTURE – INCLUDING THE QUEEN […]