Episode
Plain Talk: Tall Grass In The Bee Yard (287)
- Podcast
- Honey Bee Obscura Podcast
- Published
- Jun 11, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1247
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://honeybeeobscura.com/287-tall-grass-aging-beekeeper
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Summary
In this reflective episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Dr. Jim Tew walks back to his bee yard after several days of rain and immediately confronts a familiar challenge: grass and weeds that have grown well beyond manageable height. What begins as a discussion about mowing quickly becomes a thoughtful examination of aging, beekeeping alone, and adapting expectations to changing circumstances. Jim candidly shares the realities of maintaining an apiary at seventy-eight years old. Managing thirteen thriving colonies, coping with allergies, operating equipment in summer heat, and maintaining property without assistance all raise practical questions about how beekeeping changes over time. Rather than seeking sympathy, Jim explores the adjustments that many longtime beekeepers eventually face as physical limitations become part of the craft. The discussion turns to vegetation management around the apiary, including his experiences with naturally occurring wildflower growth, the challenges of maintaining access paths, and his decision to avoid herbicides despite their widespread historical use in beekeeping operations. Jim reviews current discussions surrounding glyphosate and reflects on changing attitudes toward chemical weed control. Along the way, he provides updates on two recently captured swarms, discusses the resilience of small colonies, and shares observations about natural comb construction. His curiosity about how bees build and reinforce comb leads to broader thoughts on natural nest architecture, propolis use, and how much traditional beekeeping may have overlooked about honey bee biology. Throughout the episode, Jim offers an honest and personal perspective on continuing to care for bees later in life while balancing practical realities, physical limitations, and a li…