Best Backyard Beekeeping Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 171 – Inside the Winter Cluster: How Bees Heat and Survive the Cold ❄️🐝 25:34

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5h ago25:34

25:34

When temperatures drop, bees form the winter cluster to stay alive. In this episode, we dig into what triggers clustering, how bees rotate between the mantle and the core, and the muscle power that generates heat without flight. We also look at how the cluster moves as a unit to consume honey, why frame arrangement matters, and what not to do when …

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908: Veteran and Firefighter Transforms Agriculture 39:12

3d ago39:12

39:12

Sam Cooke on creating a non profit cattle farm, In This Podcast: Host Greg Peterson chats with Sam Cooke, founder and CEO of CC Cattle Company, a nonprofit cattle farm aimed at combating food insecurity in Wisconsin. Sam shares his journey from a small dairy farm in northern Wisconsin to his roles in the US Navy and as a firefighter, which led him …

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Episode 170 – Tree Cavities vs. Langstroth Hives: How Bees Really Survive Winter ❄️🐝 40:40

7d ago40:40

40:40

When bees overwinter in a tree cavity, they enjoy thick insulation, controlled airflow, and condensation that actually helps them survive. In a Langstroth hive, things look very different, and without adjustments, those differences can cost colonies dearly. In this episode, I break down what happens inside a natural cavity and compare it to the equ…

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907: Permaculture Principle, The yield of system is potentially unlimited 45:52

10d ago45:52

45:52

A Garden Chat with Don Titmus In this garden chat, Greg and Don Titmus start be discussing the importance of naming your farm and then dive deep into permaculture principle number six: the yield of a system is potentially unlimited. They touch upon Don's synergized version of permaculture principles, emphasizing multi-functional elements in farming…

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Episode 169 – Winter Prep for Your Hives: Feeding, Merging, and Insulating ❄️🐝 38:59

14d ago38:59

38:59

Winter is coming, and the way you prepare your hives now will determine how strong your colonies are in the spring. In this episode, we go step by step through assessing colony strength, when to combine hives, and what kind of feeding really works. We also break down insulation and ventilation, weighing your hives, and why candy boards and sugar br…

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906: Exploring Grains and the Wealth in Wildflowers 38:38

17d ago38:38

38:38

A seed chat with Bill McDorman Our monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.org In This Podcast: Farmer Greg and Bill McDorman chat about the transition from summer gardening to planting wildflowers, cover crops, and grains. The conversation covers the benefits of wildflowers, emphasizing their role in permaculture and ecological wealth. They highlight succes…

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Episode 168 – Spring vs Fall Pollen: What Bees Really Need (And When) 🐝🌼🍂 53:01

18d ago53:01

53:01

This episode focuses on the difference between spring and fall pollen and how seasonal shifts impact bee nutrition. We look at what bees need to raise brood, how they build fat reserves for winter, and why feeding is not the same in every season. At the end of the episode, I share my personal story of 9/11, where I was that day in DC, what I saw, a…

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905: Growing Fruit Trees Successfully with Farmer Greg 35:52

20d ago35:52

35:52

A Rosie On The House Replay In this episode of 'Rosie on the House,' Farmer Greg and Romey Romero discuss essential tips for growing fruit trees. They highlight the optimal time for planting, common mistakes homeowners make—such as planting in gravel or lawns and improper drip irrigation—and advises on best practices. Greg also shares his unique 's…

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904: The Return of the Paw Paw with Michael Judd 36:36

24d ago36:36

36:36

In This Podcast: Greg reconnects with Michael Judd, an expert in permaculture and sustainable living. They discuss the illusive fruit the Paw Paw, and Michael's involvement in creating Maryland's first natural green burial site. Michael then shares his passion for pawpaws, detailing their unique adaptation as a tropical fruit that thrives in colder…

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Episode 167 – The Beltsville Bee Lab Shutdown: What’s Really Going On 🏛️🐝 23:03

25d ago23:03

23:03

News of the USDA Beltsville Bee Lab closing has sparked controversy, but what’s fact and what’s fearmongering? In this episode, we dig into the proposed relocation of the nation’s oldest bee research lab and what it means for diagnostics, research, and beekeepers like you. We also take a hard look at the usual claims about bee declines, climate bla…

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Episode 166 – Oxalic Acid and Mite Madness: What’s Changing, What’s Not 🧪🐝 33:18

27d ago33:18

33:18

Oxalic acid has long been a trusted treatment for Varroa mites, but recent label updates are causing confusion about dosage, legality, and safety. In this episode, we talk through what the updated EPA labels for Api-Bioxal and EZ-OX actually say, why generic wood bleach is not a legal alternative, and how much is too much when vaporizing OA. We als…

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903: Becoming a 'Real' Organic Farmer with Linley Dixon 41:44

1M ago41:44

41:44

Sustainable Farming Insights with Linley In This Podcast: Greg interviews Linley Dixon, a small-scale organic vegetable farmer in southwest Colorado. Linley specializes in soil-grown greenhouse tomatoes and has been farming since 2010. She shares her path to farming, including the challenges faced in finding suitable farmland with water rights, and…

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902: All about the Real Organic Project with Linley Dixon 37:49

1M ago37:49

37:49

What it means to advocate for organic certification In This Podcast: Greg interviews Linley Dixon from The Real Organic Project to discuss the organization's efforts to maintain the true integrity of organic farming. Linley recounts her journey from farming in Colorado to working with the National Organic Standards Board and witnessing regulatory b…

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Episode 165 – Fall Swarming: Why You Still Need to Watch Closely 🍂🐝 35:00

1M ago35:00

35:00

Fall swarms aren’t just a myth, and in some areas, they’re happening right now. While most beekeepers associate swarming with spring, certain late-season conditions can trigger it all over again. In this episode, we break down what those triggers are, how to recognize the signs, and what to do if your bees get the fall swarm bug. We also clear up t…

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901: Permaculture Principle Make the Least Change... 45:01

1M ago45:01

45:01

For the Greatest Impact, A Garden Chat with Don Titmus In this garden chat, Greg and Don Titmus dive into the Permaculture Principle of 'making the least change for the greatest possible effect'. The discussion covers various techniques such as composting, leveraging points in the system, and creating sustainable urban gardens. Additionally, they t…

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900: Cultivating Resilience Through Seed Saving 38:21

2M ago38:21

38:21

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman Sign up for our live monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.org In This Month's Seed Chat: Greg and Bill discuss the fundamentals of seed saving, emphasizing the importance of observation in the garden to identify the healthiest plants for seed collection. They share their experiences and techniques for selecting seeds, such a…

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899: The Many Ways To Compost with Greg Peterson 34:26

2M ago34:26

34:26

A Rosie On The House Replay In this episode Romey Romero chats with Farmer Greg about the many iterations of composting. urban farming and composting. They discuss Farmer Greg's journey, his urban farm in central Phoenix, and his involvement in promoting sustainable and regenerative food systems. Emphasis is laid on the critical elements of compost…

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Episode 164 – Fall Flow and Winter Bees: How Nature Prepares the Colony for the Cold 🐝🍂 35:42

2M ago35:42

35:42

As the summer bees finish their work and the fall flow begins, the colony shifts gears. In this episode, we explore how the biology of the honey bee changes for winter, why the nutritional profile of fall forage is different from spring, and what that means for feeding decisions. We talk about cluster sizes, race-specific overwintering tendencies, …

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898: Meet America's Tea Pioneer, Steve Lorch 25:12

2M ago25:12

25:12

On Growing Tea and Entrepreneurship In This Podcast: Steve Lorch, founder and CEO of Table Rock Tea Company in Pickens, South Carolina, shares his journey from a surgical nurse and serial entrepreneur to becoming a leading expert in growing tea in the United States. Steve recounts how his experience with Hydro Missions International led to his fasc…

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897: Building Permaculture Community through Education with Ryan Blosser. 41:26

2M ago41:26

41:26

From semipro basketball to permaculture...here's a story! In This Podcast: Ryan Blosser shares his inspiring journey from being a basketball player to becoming a leading figure in permaculture. Ryan moved from his hometown in Waynesboro, Virginia, to Hawaii, where he discovered a deep connection to nature through surfing, which eventually led him t…

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896: Co-housing and Permaculture with Dave Boehnlein 47:24

2M ago47:24

47:24

Building a Farm Model with a Regenerative Vision In This Podcast: Dave Boehnlein studied natural resources and environmental studies at the University of Minnesota which lead him to becoming an educator and leader in permaculture design and implementation. He co-authored the book 'Practical Permaculture' and is now leading a project called Rooted N…

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Episode 163 – Bearding, Fanning, and Heat Shields: How Bees Actually Cool the Hive 🔥🐝 32:49

2M ago32:49

32:49

Record-breaking heatwaves aren’t just hard on humans — they challenge your colonies too. In this episode, we talk through ways to support your bees during extreme summer temperatures. You’ll learn how hive ventilation works, what role water plays in cooling the colony, and why some popular summer hacks may do more harm than good. What’s Inside This…

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895: Permaculture Principle The Problem is the Solution 46:49

2M ago46:49

46:49

A Garden Chat with Don Titmus In this garden chat, Greg and Don Titmus dive into the Permaculture Principle 'The problem is the solution,' using examples like managing excess lemons and wetland areas to illustrate the concept. They also talk about water harvesting techniques, such as swales and curb cuts, and offer solutions for gardening in small …

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894: Why Seed Saving Disappeared with Bill McDorman 27:31

2M ago27:31

27:31

Our monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.org In This Podcast: Greg and Bill McDorman explore why seed saving virtually disappeared. They reveal how, historically, seed saving was an integral practice for gardeners and farmers, promoting more resilient and adaptable crops. However, the industrialization of agriculture and commercialization of seeds in the …

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893: Harvesting the Rain with Brad Lancaster 37:02

3M ago37:02

37:02

A Rosie On The House Replay In this episode of Rosie on the House, Romey Romero and Farmer Greg welcome Brad Lancaster, a renowned expert in water harvesting. They discuss Brad's journey in water harvesting starting from his childhood in Tucson, the practices he developed over the years, and the techniques mentioned in his book. Brad elaborates on …

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Beekeeping For Newbees

1
The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson

Urban Farm Team

1
Beekeeping Stories on the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

Grazing Grass

1
Episode 171 – Inside the Winter Cluster: How Bees Heat and Survive the Cold ❄️🐝 25:34

1
908: Veteran and Firefighter Transforms Agriculture 39:12

1
Episode 170 – Tree Cavities vs. Langstroth Hives: How Bees Really Survive Winter ❄️🐝 40:40

1
907: Permaculture Principle, The yield of system is potentially unlimited 45:52

1
Episode 169 – Winter Prep for Your Hives: Feeding, Merging, and Insulating ❄️🐝 38:59

1
906: Exploring Grains and the Wealth in Wildflowers 38:38

1
Episode 168 – Spring vs Fall Pollen: What Bees Really Need (And When) 🐝🌼🍂 53:01

1
905: Growing Fruit Trees Successfully with Farmer Greg 35:52

1
904: The Return of the Paw Paw with Michael Judd 36:36

1
Episode 167 – The Beltsville Bee Lab Shutdown: What’s Really Going On 🏛️🐝 23:03

1
Episode 166 – Oxalic Acid and Mite Madness: What’s Changing, What’s Not 🧪🐝 33:18

1
903: Becoming a 'Real' Organic Farmer with Linley Dixon 41:44

1
902: All about the Real Organic Project with Linley Dixon 37:49

1
Episode 165 – Fall Swarming: Why You Still Need to Watch Closely 🍂🐝 35:00

1
901: Permaculture Principle Make the Least Change... 45:01

1
900: Cultivating Resilience Through Seed Saving 38:21

1
899: The Many Ways To Compost with Greg Peterson 34:26

1
Episode 164 – Fall Flow and Winter Bees: How Nature Prepares the Colony for the Cold 🐝🍂 35:42

1
898: Meet America's Tea Pioneer, Steve Lorch 25:12

1
897: Building Permaculture Community through Education with Ryan Blosser. 41:26

1
896: Co-housing and Permaculture with Dave Boehnlein 47:24

1
Episode 163 – Bearding, Fanning, and Heat Shields: How Bees Actually Cool the Hive 🔥🐝 32:49

1
895: Permaculture Principle The Problem is the Solution 46:49

1
894: Why Seed Saving Disappeared with Bill McDorman 27:31

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893: Harvesting the Rain with Brad Lancaster 37:02