The Benefits of Beekeeping at Hudson Gardens

The Hudson Gardens’ Community Apiary is intended to be educational, raising awareness about honeybees and gaining support for their conservation. The beehives are maintained by individual beekeepers who apply for the program on an annual basis.

• A beautiful setting with an abundance of diverse nectar sources.
• Access to a community of beekeepers who can answer questions and assist with conducting hive assessments.
• Participation in apiary mentorship sessions.
• Opportunities to engage with the public and promote beekeeping.

Application Process

The application process for the 2021 season is now open. Applications are due November 1, 2020. Applicants will be notified in November if selected for an interview. Interviews will take place in November and selected applicants will be notified by December 1, 2020. The process is as follows:

1. Attend a So, You Want to Be a Beekeeper? class and/or a Meet the Beekeeper Session (optional)
2. Read our Beekeeping Protocols
3. Submit a Volunteer Application Form
4. Join the Hudson Gardens Google Group (optional)
5. Complete the required courses**, which begin in January (Honeybee Hive Management Systems, Installing Nucleus Hives & Package Bees, Mite Management & Treatment, Honeybee Hive Inspections, and Overwintering Honeybee Hives. Beekeeping Express may also be taken as an alternative to these five courses).

**Class requirements must be met prior to establishing hives at Hudson Gardens and may be waived at the discretion of Hudson Gardens for experienced beekeepers.

All Hudson Gardens’ Beekeepers must agree to the following:

• Use of natural integrated pest management methods that are minimally invasive, chemical-free, and non-toxic.
• Participation in educational outreach activities on behalf of Hudson Gardens.
• Non-commercial usage of honey and other products derived from the hive at Hudson Gardens.
• Adequate experience or participation in Hudson Gardens beekeeping classes**
• Read the City of Littleton Beekeeping Ordinance

Core Beekeeping Classes

The core beekeeping classes will help prepare you for your first year of beekeeping. You’ll learn how to set up your hive, install bees, feed bees, inspect your hive, check and treat for mites, and how to get your bees through a tough Colorado winter.

The classes will be offered online through the Zoom platform and will include time for questions and discussion at each session. You may register for classes individually or receive a discount by registering for all five classes with the Queen Bee package.

In addition to discounted class fees, Queen Bee package registrants will receive a printed and bound booklet with the class materials.

Fees:

• Individual core classes – $32/members and $35/non-members
• Queen Bee Package (all five core classes) – $150/members and $165/non-members (to receive the discounted rate, add all the core classes to your shopping cart and then use the discount code 21QUEENBEE when you check out)

Core Classes:

• Honeybee Hive Management
• Installing Nucleus Hives & Package Bees
• Mite Management & Treatment
• Honeybee Hive Inspections
• Overwintering Honeybee Hives

Beekeeping Express

This intensive one-day course spans the basics of starting, inspecting, and maintaining a healthy colony of honeybees. Elements from the five core classes will be covered in this express course.

Date: Saturday, February 6, 2021
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fees: $125/members and $140/non-members