“The Lebanese flag has a cedar tree on it because much of what is now desert was thickly forested before the harbingers of civilization--i.e., woodcutters, farmers, and goats--saw to it that large stands of cedar will never grace the Holy Land again. The stark and sere limestone hills that we think of as typical Greek and Italian landscape were once all but invisible beneath a layer of long-gone topsoil held in place by forests of cedar and oak.” ― John Vaillant, The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed Trees: magnificently diverse, delicate in their beginnings, their survival amongst the competition of the forest floor is almost a miracle. As species jockey for precious sunshine, there are winners, and there are losers in the game. Canada is home to some of the most incredible forests and biodiversity in the world: trees of such staggering proportions that the Vikings knew them as saplings, and the Indigenous peoples of Canada knew them as seeds. ...
Keeping these industrious animals teaches a lot about yourself as a farmer. While bees are extremely boisterous and can produce mind-boggling harvests of honey, they are also prone to numerous issues ranging between wax-eating moths, temperature fluctuations, aggression, impromptu and unwanted migration to even the death of a queen. Let it be said, however, that beekeeping is one of the most rewarding hobbies that can be had, and not just for the sweet treat that comes with it. Beekeeping teaches much about how to problem solve, how to get into a wonderful and collaborative community, and to truly appreciate the local delicacies of Southern Ontario. If this sounds like the hobby for you, here are a few pieces that come highly recommended. Beehives The beehive recommended most often to beginners is a Langstroth hive due its generally intuitive design. A Langstroth hive is a vertically modular beehive, with vertically hung frames and a bottom board with an entrance to allow the bees to m...