About the Author

Kristi Cook

Kristi Cook lives in Arkansas where every year brings something new to her family’s journey for a more sustainable lifestyle. She keeps a flock of laying hens, dairy goats, a rapidly growing apiary, a large garden, and more. When she’s not busy with the critters and veggies, you can find her sharing sustainable living skills through her workshops, articles, and blog at tenderheartshomestead.com.
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Articles by Kristi Cook

When to Cull a Colony
August 17, 2022 · · Hives & Equipment

The good news is culling is usually not necessary. Read on to discover when to cull a diseased colony and when to try other methods first. 

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First Year Honey Extraction Equipment
August 17, 2022 · · Hives & Equipment

New honey extraction equipment isn’t necessary for the first year, so here’s a rundown of what to consider when starting the extraction process.

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Queen Introduction
August 6, 2022 · · Beekeeping 101

Introducing new queens is a beekeeping skill that anyone can master on their first try when they keep just a few tips in mind.

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Walkaway Splits
August 6, 2022 · · Beekeeping 101

The good news is, making splits is nearly as simple as unstacking boxes on moving day with walkaway splits, so keep your cash in your pocket and read on to discover the simplicity of this new skill.

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Honey Extractors Explained
August 6, 2022 · · Hives & Equipment

Variety is the common thread among us and honey extractors are no exception. Here’s a quick rundown on what to look for when selecting a honey extractor.

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When to Use an Outyard
June 29, 2022 · · Beekeeping 101

You enjoy walking to your backyard and visiting your hives any time you’d like, right? They’re close, accessible, and convenient.

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Conduct an Alcohol Wash for Varroa Mite Monitoring
June 9, 2022 · · Health & Pests

Of the many techniques possible, the alcohol wash for varroa mite counts is currently considered the most accurate.

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Are Queen Excluders a Good Idea?
June 3, 2022 · · Beekeeping Lifestyle Topics

If you enjoy a good debate, ask 10 beekeepers what they think about queen excluders. As is typical in the beekeeping community, within seconds, you’ll receive 10 different answers.

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Natural versus Grafted Queen Rearing
June 2, 2022 · · Beekeeping 101

Queen rearing can be as simple or as complex as the beekeeper chooses. Grafting queen bees and natural rearing are the two more common methods.

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The Vital Role the Drone Plays in the Beehive
May 24, 2022 · · Beekeeping 101

The most sustainable manner of keeping bees requires Beekeepers to learn skills beyond hive inspection, feeding regimens, and pest control. Learning to create splits and raise queens are, without a doubt, the most sustainable manner of reducing costs.

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