Nona Spillers

Long before there were pharmacy aisles full of creams and ointments, people used their gardens. Calendula officinalis is the cheerful orange flower more commonly known as pot marigold. For centuries it has been infused into oils, salves, and balms to comfort and heal dry, irritated, and damaged skin. I was reminded how long people have relied on calendula during a visit to the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary in Alexandria, Virginia—the oldest preserved apothecary in the United States. Along one...

Bee splits, that is. Even after a season with dozens of successful splits, they still make me nervous. Having equipment ready even when you don't know you need it is essential! What Is a Split? A walk-away split is when you take resources from one or more colonies to create a new hive and allow the bees to raise their own queen. You provide a frame containing 1–3 day old eggs so the colony can build queen cells. Then you wait. And wait some more. It usually takes 4–6 weeks — and several...

The purpose of my beeswax workshop is to open the door to the fascinating world of beeswax and help you understand the true value of this remarkable resource. We explore everything from what beeswax is and how bees make it, to why we’re fortunate enough to use it in our everyday lives. I love sharing my favorite tips and tricks—so you can skip the trial-and-error and benefit from all the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Where to source beeswax… Ask a local beekeeper. Remember beeswax is...