Hobby: Bees - How to make your own honey!

Torsten Ellmann, President of the German Beekeepers' Association, gives tips on how to start beekeeping in your garden and make your own honey.

How big does my garden need to be?

Don't worry, the size of the garden doesn't play a major role. ‘Honey bees have a foraging radius of several square kilometres,’ explains Torsten Ellmann. This means that they fly to wherever there is nectar and pollen - whether in gardens, fields or parks.

Can I just put up a hive (bee box) like this?

A hive in the garden is a great idea for environmental protection, but it's not that simple. ‘Beekeeping is first and foremost animal husbandry and requires thorough preparation,’ emphasises Ellmann. He recommends the following first steps:

1. check the location: Make sure that there are enough flowers in your neighbourhood for the bees and that there are no beekeepers in the immediate vicinity to avoid conflicts. Also discuss your plans with your neighbours, especially if allergies could be an issue.

2. attend a beekeeping course: Regional beekeeping associations offer courses that teach the basics of beekeeping. It is also worth spending a year or so with an experienced beekeeper to gain practical experience.

What equipment do I need?

New beekeepers don't need much, but some basic equipment from specialised beekeeping shops is essential:

- Hives (bee boxes)

- Bucket, hive chisel and smoker

- Honey extractor: Many beekeeping associations offer the option of using honey extractors, so you don't have to buy your own straight away.

- Jars and labels for the honey

How time-consuming is beekeeping?

‘Beekeeping is a fulfilling and reassuring activity that brings joy and at the same time makes a valuable contribution to nature conservation,’ says Ellmann. ‘In the beginning, you will have to invest a little more time in observing the bee colonies and looking after the equipment.’ Regular inspections during the season are important to ensure the health of the bees.

How do I get started?

Ellmann recommends starting with two bee colonies. ‘If you lose a colony due to pests such as the varroa mite, you still have a second one,’ he explains. A bee colony can produce between 30 and 50 kilos of honey a year. So think about how many jars and labels you need!

Honey harvest - when and how?

The first honey harvest depends on the regional flowering calendar - dandelion, fruit blossom, rape or lime. ‘We harvested in mid-May this year because the flowering times were early. Our last harvest was in mid-July,’ says Ellmann.

What if I don't have a garden?

Even honey fans without a garden can beekeep. ‘There are opportunities to set up bee colonies in allotments, on fruit farms or at the edge of forests - in consultation with the farmer or owner of the land, of course,’ explains Ellmann. So nothing stands in the way of breakfast with honey from your own bee colony. Bon appétit!

Internal links:

- You can find out more about sustainable garden design in our blog post Preventing bee mortality - how to protect bees in the city and garden.

- Would you like more first-hand information about gardens, houses and yards? Then visit our theme world of the same name at Grüne Woche 2025.

External links:

- Contact addresses for regional beekeeping associations can be found here: German Beekeepers' Association

- Initial information on courses for hobby beekeepers can be found here.

- The European Union promotes bee protection through state programmes. The latest information on this can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.