We're setting up our Apiary in the Forest!!! This dream has been a long time coming and we're so thankful!

![C2E54636-A7CC-46C6-B213-2CB5E3D9FFBA.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmP3xDdjvPJTAfFn6CPDboe5P1G2V92yEjdDCMASjuG4tW/C2E54636-A7CC-46C6-B213-2CB5E3D9FFBA.jpeg) Ini bringing in the hive stands with Luci in tow.

Welcome to Mountain Jewel, our homestead! The forest is one of our favorite places...

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Setting up our Apiary in the forest!!

*** https://steemitimages.com/DQmVBrnYceLo3CzWWAHi23rhvHz6drRYGrVDiN9MY6CA1cM/65DB018E-D741-4F47-BFF1-22F877A7A288.jpeg Wren setting up the Warre Hive with our cat Alabask who follows us all over the property ## At our homestead, we've been focusing a lot on Natural Beekeeping lately! *Check out our other recent posts detailed at the bottom.* # In this vlog, Ini discusses: * Making hive stands * Designing and laying out the apiary * Considerations for the apiary * Aligning with natural bee habitats when designing our apiary ***

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## When designing an apiary, keep the following in mind * Do the bees have access to fresh clean water * Do they have access to a diverse forage throughout the season * How many hours of sun does it get/is it shaded (we're looking for 4-6 hours of sun) *** ![7939F710-42F9-46F8-AD9A-C2CA19B83FA5.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVEkwZvcju5vyRPzD7fvVJvXbqExVWZvya659HihsFks3/7939F710-42F9-46F8-AD9A-C2CA19B83FA5.jpeg) Level hive stand waiting for the swarm to return so we can place it permanently in our apiary!! *** ![download.jpeg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZNikpgVgJfNjr4sVtntWNAEVzfhrJk6Er3vbBbxcuyDB/download.jpeg)[](https://pixabay.com/en/bee-graphic-spring-honey-677330/) ***

A Look At An Established Forest Apiary

![IMG_3909.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbeZBS3mV5BAV6Tt5NMQZj2hqqA3VJZEZtRQBdwPmZp8N/IMG_3909.jpg) Our mentor Leo showing us a hive in his apiary. Anyone spot the other insect in the picture? ### Last fall we also had the great opportunity to visit our beekeeping mentor Leo's Natural Apiary in the Forest. It was very inspiring-- probably most of all because of his wife's gorgeous art which is pictured below! ![IMG_3907.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZw2EHtFB429wMM43rQWDLtaX6X1RuG277ZPuQAFcc1gD/IMG_3907.jpg) ## I also loved the meandering magical feel of the apiary in the forest!

Beauty of the Apiary

### *Leo, our mentor, and his wife, Ira, have a beautiful apiary. Ira makes incredible Hive Art! Wren took photos of these as we took a tour of their apiary.* ![IMG_3918.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSZjA7M3T8QsiK5biqmh43FmxTach1soHr3m29sE2ifZj/IMG_3918.jpg) ![IMG_3915.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXTWsxU3JyisJCZCYNZr8JTE6UGHfDv38fcyyWuDTE5bD/IMG_3915.jpg) ![IMG_3919.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWca1EBRH5zZg5k4sqewg18FpHHBo1FpMNhSHKNdRQDFy/IMG_3919.jpg) ### Obviously this is incredibly inspiring!! We will paint our hives as we make them. *Any ideas for designs?* ***

First Impressions

### We fell in love with beekeeping more that day!! That week we decided to take some honey from our hives. Our bees produced a lot that year, but unfortunately Ini got stung that day on the face! ![IMG_3938.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXu42F3uThpiiLGPR7upyDAovQ1BovigSaNPZZnFpYGqx/IMG_3938.jpg) ### After the beekeeping first forays... You can see Wren had a lot better time than Ini!

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## Thanks for reading. We hope you enjoyed! # @mountainjewel's Natural Beekeeping Series [Why Catch Wild Swarms](https://steemit.com/vlog/@mountainjewel/p7zmjdwr) [Hanging Swarm Traps](https://steemit.com/vlog/@mountainjewel/b8xwf85i) [Catching a Swarm](https://steemit.com/vlog/@mountainjewel/bvjliqlf) [Relocating the Swarm](https://steemit.com/vlog/@mountainjewel/el1oa3xh) ![mountainjewelbanner.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmV5gnBJ95TGgUML4pim8ugBPmo6FoK72u5h3H1P2W6FHQ/mountainjewelbanner.jpg) *banner by @radicalunicorn*

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