Homemade Honey

Beekeeping and Harvesting Honey

I’ve been beekeeping for over two years now and I will say, it’s so rewarding. I didn’t just jump into it blindly – I studied about beekeeping and harvesting for almost 8 months or so. Then, I took a beekeeping class, and found a local beekeeper to teach me a few tricks of the trade. There are some amazing organizations that will help you get started, and even come check on your bees periodically to make sure they’re healthy and happy!  

If you aren’t able to have your own hive or embark on the beekeeping journey, I would then recommend you find a local beekeeper in your area. Farmers markets are a great place to look. I love supporting farmers and local people that spend their time and passion growing amazing produce, meats, and other earthy goodness.  My grandparents had a farm back in the day and I loved going out there and helping them plant and harvest. My grandmother would can tomatoes, pickle veggies, make jams and jellies, chow chow…. The list goes on and on. My grandpa would sit on the side of the road or in a parking lot and sell fresh produce and all her jars of goodness…country livin’ at its finest. And my Country Roots are something I’ll always cherish.

For those of you curious about making substitute honey at home, here’s a recipe to try.

Ingredients

10 cups white sugar

1 teaspoon alum

3 cups water

2 cups fireweed blossoms

1 cup red clover blossoms

2 1⁄2 cups white clover blossoms

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring water, sugar and alum to a boil and boil for 10 minutes.

Take off heat.

Rinse off blossoms in strainer and drain well (be sure not to leave any green parts on blossoms or honey will be wild or grassy tasting).

Stir in blossoms and steep for 3 hours.

Remove flowers, strain through cheesecloth if necessary.

Reheat to a boil, then pour into jars and seal.

Have questions about honey or beekeeping? Ask me!