Gilroy Beekeepers Association

September 13, 2023November 1, 2023 James Haskell Classes

Becoming a Beekeeper Class

Ever wondered how to become a beekeeper?

Join our free class and find out what you need to get started! No prior experience necessary, this course is designed to help anyone considering caring for their own bees.

We will explain the necessary tools, hive components, and safety gear. You will learn the difference between starting your colony with a bee package vs a nuc. And build up your understanding of what to expect throughout the beekeeping year. Finally, the most important thing to take away is where you can go for help when you don't know what to do. We scheduled this class before the holidays so you can treat yourself with the gift of bee supplies and a future hive!

August 8, 2023August 31, 2023 James Haskell Beekeeping, Education, Events, Members

Santa Cruz County Fair

Plant a Pollinator Garden

Here are some resources for pollinator-friendly, drought-tolerant native plants:

Plants Native to Santa Clara County for Bees and Butterflies – Valley Water
Waterwise Plant List – UC Master Gardeners, Santa Clara County
- Bee Friendly Plants
Bee-friendly Gardening – California Native Plant Society
Plant Sales – Grassroots Ecology
Birds and the bees — creating a welcoming garden for pollinators – Mercury News

Water Conservation

Water will always be a challenge in our area.

Valley Water Landscape Recommendations

Fire Safety

Another consideration in our area is fire danger, especially if your home is near the border of an urban area in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).

Fire Smart Landscaping – CalFire
Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council

Summary

Membership - become a GBA member!
Getting Started - Reasons to get bees (or not), and how to get started on your beekeeping journey.
Need Advice? - have a question about your hives? Submit it here.
Hive Health - nutrition and pests, including Varroa control methods.
Save the Environment - ways to support pollinators and the local environment, including:
- Lists of pollinator friendly plants suitable for our local climate.
- Ways to support local beekeepers and honeybees.
- Adopt A Hive - get some experience working with bees at the GBA's apiary.
Vocabulary - look up that beekeeper-y lingo here.
Hive Registration and Ordinances - check your local ordinances about beehives.
Useful Information and References - an extensive list of beekeeping and pollinator references.
Apiary - an overview of the GBA club Apiary.

Make Your Lawn Pollinator Friendly

Make a bee friendly lawn Homeowners use up to 10 times more insecticide and herbicide per acre of lawn compared to farmers growing crops. You can create a lawn that has a mix of grasses and flowers to help bees, while still preserving the beauty of your home. When done properly, a bee lawn has many benefits:

Attracts pollinators and other beneficial insects.
It requires less water than a traditional grass lawn.
It needs less fertilizer and herbicide treatment.
You don’t need to mow as often.
It looks more attractive than an all grass lawn.

Support Local Beekeeping

Report bee swarms to your local beekeeper DO NOT try to spray the swarm with pesticides or a hose. You will just get them angry!

Join the Gilroy Beekeepers Association Your tax deductible membership fee helps fund bee education in our schools and community. For members that are interested in going further, we provide training and support so that you can own your own bee hives at home.

Adopt a hive You can experience beekeeping without buying your own equipment, even if you have no place to keep bees at home.