To me it is important to leave something lasting on the planet. Whether it’s good kids, a book, good deeds, or pioneering, any something that people can only say, she or he did that. I’ve done alright in my life, but I will leave genetically great bees in a 2-mile radius of the bee yard just this year. I lost a colony to swarm already. Yes, it’s accidentally a good thing, I didn’t set out with it to be so, but it has already happened and life will find a way starting right there in Platte County MO. The bees that remained have grown into a strong colony. All my ego aside, I care about our planet. I’m not an environmentalist, more of a conservationist. Contribute what I can and make it sustainable.

To me it is important to leave something lasting on the planet. Whether it’s good kids, a book, good deeds, or pioneering, any something that people can only say, she or he did that. I’ve done alright in my life, but I will leave genetically great bees in a 2-mile radius of the bee yard just this year. I lost a colony to swarm already. Yes, it’s accidentally a good thing, I didn’t set out with it to be so, but it has already happened and life will find a way starting right there in Platte County MO. The bees that remained have grown into a strong colony. All my ego aside, I care about our planet. I’m not an environmentalist, more of a conservationist. Contribute what I can and make it sustainable.

I have kept a colony of Missouri bees over a winter in a field near Edgerton MO. I purchased and split more colonies and lost another. The colonies remaining grew and produced honey for my friends and family and its amazing! The honey and wax is clean, is free from pesticides, antibiotics etc, 100% naturally sourced pollen and nectar. It took a minute to get here, and I enjoy the good fortune of a bee friendly landowner that lent speed to the project. I didn’t make the honey, but I put all the right things together to make a premium honey possible, and it happened. This year I met my goal for the apiary.

I am doing my best to be a good beekeeper. Though I don’t know as much as I will, right now I look forward to learning and being a better beekeeper.

~Charlie

Why Bee Habitat Matters

At Charlie’s Better Bees, we believe stronger bees begin with better habitat. When bees have access to diverse forage, clean water, and safe nesting spaces, they are better equipped to stay healthy and produce cleaner, more flavorful honey.

The good news is that even small changes in a yard, garden, or neighborhood can make a meaningful difference. Here are five practical ways to support bees and create a more resilient habitat close to home.

1. Plant a Longer Bloom Season

Bees need reliable food sources from early spring through late fall. Choose a mix of native flowers, herbs, shrubs, and trees that bloom at different times so pollinators can find nectar and pollen throughout the season.

• Early season: crocus, willow, fruit blossoms
• Mid season: clover, lavender, coneflower
• Late season: goldenrod, asters, sedum

2. Skip Unnecessary Chemicals

Pesticides and herbicides can weaken pollinators or reduce the plants they depend on. Whenever possible, use natural garden care methods and avoid spraying blooming plants where bees are actively foraging.

A healthy bee habitat is not just about adding flowers. It is also about removing avoidable stress.

3. Add a Safe Water Source

Bees need water for cooling the hive and supporting daily activity. A shallow dish with pebbles, marbles, or cork pieces gives bees a place to land and drink safely without drowning.

4. Leave Some Wild Spaces

Not every corner of a landscape needs to be tidy. Small patches of bare soil, brush, hollow stems, and leaf litter can provide shelter for native bees and other beneficial insects.

5. Learn What Bees Need Locally

Different regions support different pollinators and bloom cycles. Paying attention to local plants, weather patterns, and seasonal forage can help you make smarter choices that truly benefit bees in your area.

Charlie’s Better Bees is here to share practical guidance for healthier habitats, stronger bees, and better honey for everyone. With a few thoughtful changes, you can help create a landscape that supports pollinators and improves the quality of the environment around you.