Here is a list of favorite beekeeping books that our beekeeping specialist Camille has put together for you!
The Beekeeper’s Handbook
This is the beekeeper’s bible and the book of choice for the Oregon Master Beekeeper Program! The book is well written and easy to read with detailed information on seasonal beekeeping tasks and hive configurations, bee biology and behavior, descriptions and treatment for a wide range of pests and diseases, including Varroa. You will find many helpful diagrams and beautiful drawings.
This book is beginner friendly and still holds valuable information for those who have been beekeeping for years. I learn something new with every reread!
I recommend reading many books, but if you have to choose just one, this is it!
We sell this book in-store, or you can order online for store pick-up or delivery. We do not ship.
The Hive and the Honey Bee
This book was originally published in 1853 by the father of modern beekeeping himself, L.L. Langstroth. In 1885, the revising and writing of new content for the book was handed over to Charles Dadant and his son, Camille Peirre Dadant. They have done a fantastic job keeping this book alive and thriving!
The Hive and the Honey Bee is the ultimate informational resource for beekeepers. Each chapter of this hefty textbook is written by a different author, each a professional in his or her specialized beekeeping field. You will find full color photos, detailed graphs and diagrams, and generations of expert wisdom within its pages!
The best outlet to directly order this book is Dadant.com.
Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping
This book is written by two modern giants in the beekeeping community, Dewey M. Caron and Lawrence John Connor. Both have beautiful prose, fantastic information, and a deep love of beekeeping.
This book is great for those beekeepers who like to reference specific information. It is a well organized textbook and each section is a complete set of information. You will find full color photos, graphs, diagrams, references to other good beekeeping books, and of course a few humorous anecdotes and illustrated comics!
You can order this book off Amazon.
Nectar and Pollen Plants of the PNW
While there are many books on bee forage plants, this book is particularly useful to the PNW beekeeper as every plant contained within its pages is relevant.
The book covers a vast number of native plants and many that are widely cultivated or escaped weeds that bees would encounter in the PNW. Pages are beautifully illustrated with detailed views of textured plant leaves and flowers. The plant dictionary is organized by each plant’s most frequently used common name so it is easy to search for each plant. Other information with each plant listing includes the latin name, bloom period/color, nectar/pollen availability, distribution of the plant in the PNW, and other relevant information.
We sell this book in-store, or you can order online for store pick-up or delivery. We do not ship.