Six backyard beehives and one weekly farmers market

How it works

Step by step

1. 1Take a beginner beekeeping class through your local beekeeping association ($150-250, usually spring). Nothing replaces hands-in-a-hive practice.
2. 2Check your city and HOA rules. Most US cities allow 2-4 hives in a backyard; some require a permit or setback distance from property lines.
3. 3Buy 2 starter hives, protective gear, a smoker, and a hive tool ($700-1000 total). Order nucs (nucleus colonies) from a local supplier 3 months before delivery — spring waitlists fill fast.
4. 4Add 2 hives per year until you reach 6. Beyond 6, workload jumps significantly and you'll need better extraction equipment.
5. 5Do monthly inspections March-October: check for eggs, brood pattern, queen presence, varroa mite counts. Keep a simple logbook per hive.
6. 6Treat for varroa mites at least twice a year (spring and late summer). Untreated hives usually collapse within 18 months.
7. 7Harvest honey once or twice per season. Rent extraction equipment from your beekeeping club for the first two years before buying your own.
8. 8Design a simple label with your farm name, harvest month, and net weight in oz. Compliant labeling is required at farmers markets.
9. 9Apply for a single Saturday farmers market booth ($30-60 per week). Bring 40-60 jars, a card reader, a tasting spoon setup, and a small sign explaining your neighborhood.
10. 10Add adjacent products slowly: wax candles from cappings, propolis tinctures, and pollination services for local orchards ($60-120 per hive per season).

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