Permaculture Beekeeping at Bee Wild Paradise Valley
Permaculture beekeeping is about working with nature, not against it. At Bee Wild Paradise Valley, our approach is rooted in regenerative design. By aligning with natural systems, we create a thriving, sustainable environment for bees, plants, and people.
We ensure that our bees thrive in harmony with the land while supporting biodiversity, soil health, and long-term ecological balance.
“The best way to understand bees is to learn by doing. Every hive teaches me something new.”
-AnnaMARie, Apiarist
Observe & Interact: Learning from the Bees
We begin by tuning into nature. Bees guide us with their behavior, seasonal patterns, and hive rhythms. Instead of control, we practice observation and support their natural instincts. AnnaMarie spends time watching the bees at different times of day and through the seasons, learning how to respond to their needs with gentle care.
Use & Value Renewable Resources
Bees are a renewable wonder—offering honey, wax, and pollination. We give back by harvesting mindfully and ensuring their needs come first. AnnaMarie never harvests more than the bees can spare, especially during colder months when they rely on their honey stores.
Integrate Rather Than Segregate
Diversity makes systems stronger. We support a wide range of pollinators by planting native, pesticide-free blooms that feed bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. AnnaMarie has turned the property into a living mosaic of fruit trees, wildflowers, and herbs that bloom from early spring through late fall. Companion planting enhances soil health, repels pests naturally, and provides year-round forage.
Mimic Natural Systems
Natural systems thrive through balance, not intervention. AnnaMarie follows BC’s beekeeping guidelines to support strong, resilient colonies. She raises her own locally bred queens, carefully selected for their hardiness, disease resistance, and gentle temperament. By relying on selective breeding and thoughtful hive management, she reduces the need for outside inputs. She emphasizes prevention through strong genetics, regular maintenance, and a healthy environment, fostering self-sustaining colonies that thrive with minimal interference.
Seasonal Beekeeping Practices
Winter: Insulated polystyrene hives provide warmth and protection from harsh conditions.
Spring: Expanding forage with native plants and preparing for swarming season.
Summer: Providing shade and hydration to support hive cooling.
Fall: Reinforcing hive defenses and ensuring adequate honey stores for winter.
Produce No Waste
Bees waste nothing—and neither do we. Every byproduct of the hive has a purpose. Wax is melted down at the the end of the season, and is separated into usable wax and honeyed water for baking sweet treats like granola or gingerbread.
AnnaMarie uses beeswax to make tea lights, and pillar candles, and shares leftover honeycomb during educational workshops to teach others about sustainable living.
Use Small & Slow Solutions
We don’t rush our bees or scale up unsustainably. Small-batch, mindful beekeeping allows our colonies to thrive without pressure. AnnaMarie works with just a few hives at a time, ensuring each colony receives personalized attention and care.
Beekeeping Tours & Experiences:
Pollinator Garden Walks – Learn about native plants and their role in sustaining bee populations.
Hands-on Beekeeping Tours – Experience hive inspections and learn how to care for bees.
Honey Harvesting Tours – Participate in the extraction process and taste raw honey fresh from the comb.
Design for Resilience
We plant with purpose—creating layered ecosystems with year-round forage for pollinators. The goal: long-term health for bees, soil, and the planet. AnnaMarie’s permaculture garden features companion planting, edible hedgerows, and cover crops to build soil and support biodiversity.
Protecting Our Hives:
Diverse, pesticide-free landscapes – Ensuring safe, nutritious forage year-round.
Insulated polystyrene hives – Retain heat in winter and provide cooling in summer.
Electric fencing – Keeps bears and other predators away while allowing bees to roam freely.
Permaculture beekeeping isn’t just about honey. It’s a regenerative practice that restores ecosystems, supports pollinators, and reconnects us to nature. AnnaMarie invites you to discover all about bees, in harmony with the land, and in relationship with others.
Discover AnnaMarie’s Journey into Beekeeping
Meet AnnaMarie, the beekeeper behind Bee Wild Paradise Valley. She embraces sustainable beekeeping practices, including selective breeding, pest management, and keeping a close eye on hive health. As she learns from the bees, AnnaMarie contributes to the preservation of these vital pollinators and helps support local biodiversity. Curious about how she became so passionate about beekeeping?