So! Well, I'm going to have bees starting from 2016. :)

And I'm soooooo excited about! I could write pages over pages. But lets stick to the essential stuff for now.

Bees aren't that new to me. Our neighbour had, until he died many years go, bees. Impressive 36 hives. In his Garden. So I kinda grew up with bees around. A lot. That's also the reason why I don't fear bees. I know what's okay and what pisses them off. (And you have to come up with a lot of massive provocation to piss the European Honey Bee off (carnica).)

At some point, three years ago, I felt for having some animals in my life/garden. A Dog was out of question. I lack of the (regular) time a Dog needs. I was thinking about a cat. But I'm often not at home for some days. This could require at least two cats so one isn't alone. I was pondering about ducks in the garden or maybe carrier pigeons. But that would also require a lot of time or cause problems with my garden.

Eventually, in January 2013, I visited an exhibition for agriculture and had a talk with the German Beekeepers Association. I think I already made my mind back then but I felt like I should not rush things. Bees are living beings. Not just a thing to put into the garden. They're not just something to buys and then see how it goes. In the end I made a deal with myself: I wait a year and see how my feeling towards the idea changes - if at all.

It didn't change. I still wanted Bees and the more I read and learned about the more I got hooked up. They fascinate me. On one side they're powerful while having a quite complex life. On the other hand they'so so fragile. In fact, with all the changes, poisons and imported diseases it's now impossible for Bees to survive without human care (even in the wild). The annualy schedule bees go through also matches good with my own schedule when it comes to outdoor activities.

But for two more years I couldn't have bees. There was, well, lets say I had circumstances in my life that forbid me to keep bees. In a almost literal way. Now that named circumstances are gone I went on and teh idea started to become reality. During the last couple of months I joined the Beekeepers Association, had a talk with neightbours, informed my insurance and etablished connections to other beekeepers.

I'm all bouncy about it now but also a bit afraid. There's a lot of theory in my mind but the reality looks different. But I know I can do it. The first years is going to be the hardest. There's so much to learn but I feel like I can do it. I always had a hand for animals and plants in my life so far. The first year so also going to be expensive. I mean it.

Of course I can make money with the honey and wax (like making candles from it) and sell both. I expect about 60-90Kg honey a year. It depends a bit on the year itself (weather/climate) and whether I like to feed the Bees during winther with their own honey or some substitute. This will at least cover my annual expenses. Insurance, replacement parts, etc.

Speaking of honey: I already signed in for an advanced training in honey production. When I pass I'm offically allowed to sell my honey under the label of the German Beekeppers Association. That also means that I'm allowed to use the officaial seal. Overall, I expect a lot of high quality honey. That fact that I live at the limits of a big city works in my favor. There's this stereotype about cities being toxic and dirty. But the reality shows that honey from cities comes with less to no impurities at all. Quite contary to Honey from the country side. The countryside uses toxins and pesticides. The city not. Also, Honey from cities comes with way more flavor. The reason can be found in the broader variety of flowers available. Also, since this city has large forests, I plan on having at least one hive in a forest nearby. Which means I get quality forest honey. :)

Like dear Nicola Tesla once said: see the excitement comming!