Beekeeping 101
Thinking of becoming a beekeeper in 2025? This is the place to start! We’ll cover all of the basics you need to know before deciding to get your first hive, plus everything you’ll want to know before you bring your bees home.
We are thrilled to welcome you back to the garden center this season! Here you’ll find our current schedule of classes and events. Please note, many classes require pre-registration as space is limited.
Thinking of becoming a beekeeper in 2025? This is the place to start! We’ll cover all of the basics you need to know before deciding to get your first hive, plus everything you’ll want to know before you bring your bees home.
We often get the question, "What do bees do in the winter?" It's a great question! In this class, we'll talk about what our bees are naturally inclined to do to prepare for and survive the cold months ahead and what we can do to help them through.
Join local beekeepers, mead makers and crafters for a fun-filled day!
Details are still being finalized, so check the Festival page for more info.
Pre-Order great native trees, shrubs and perennials for fall planting!
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
Visit beautiful gardens in the East Aurora area during the third annual EA Garden Walk!
Conner Hinsley from the NYS Bee Tech Team will be presenting to our club on July 20, 2024 from 9:00 AM to Noon at the First Presbyterian Church of East Auroa. He will be discussing the benefits to beekeepers who are selected to participate in the program.
Join us under the wisteria for a really unique crafting experience with our friend, Tami Fuller of Blubird Studio. Armed with a hammer and fresh botanicals right from our gardens, you’ll spend the evening learning about natural dyes and creating your own piece of natural art. Bring a friend, bring a drink, and prepare to immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of pounding hammers.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
In this class, we'll cover everyone's least favorite part of beekeeping: hive health issues. While we will certainly touch on other pests, this class will focus on the varroa mite. Varroa mites are one of the biggest threats to the health of honeybee colonies, and having a plan in place for managing these pests is an important part of keeping healthy colonies.
Swarming is part of being a bee. Dealing with swarms is part of being a beekeeper! Knowing what to do and when to do it can be tricky, even for experienced beekeepers.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We’re excited to partner with the Botanical Gardens in the Garden Speaker Series to share our love for pollinators! By now, everyone knows that pollinators need our help. Not as many of us know how simple it is for anyone to pitch in and help our pollinator friends! Planting a pollinator garden, whether it is a small container on a balcony or a field filled with wildflowers, is something anyone can do.
What is the difference between a nuc and a package? What do you need to have ready when your bees come home? We'll get you ready to install your nuc or package an hopefully calm some new beekeeper jitters.
Pre-registration is required. Register today so we can save you a seat!
Welcome, Community Apiary members! We’re excited to get this year off to a great start, so we’re planning a Kick-Off meeting for all of the members and mentors for the 2024 season.
This will be a really informal meeting, with the goal of getting to know the other community member a little bit, meeting some of the mentors, and taking a walk around to see where all of the fun stuff will happen. It’s still a little early in the season for opening up hives, and your bees likely won’t be here yet anyway. We’ll have lots of time for chatting and answering any questions you might have.
NOTE: This meeting is for Community Apiary members. All of our spaces in the Community Apiary are filled for 2024. If you have questions about this project, please check out more info on our website.
This class will answer all of the most frequently asked questions we get here at the store. We'll talk about all of the things to consider before committing to backyard beekeeping, including cost and time commitment.
We’re excited to partner with the Botanical Gardens in the Garden Speaker Series to share our love for pollinators! By now, everyone knows that pollinators need our help. Not as many of us know how simple it is for anyone to pitch in and help our pollinator friends! Planting a pollinator garden, whether it is a small container on a balcony or a field filled with wildflowers, is something anyone can do.
Thinking of becoming a beekeeper in 2024? This is the place to start! We’ll cover all of the basics you need to know before deciding to get your first hive, plus everything you’ll want to know before you bring your bees home.
Thinking of becoming a beekeeper in 2024? This is the place to start! We’ll cover all of the basics you need to know before deciding to get your first hive, plus everything you’ll want to know before you bring your bees home.
Join us for some holiday fun! We haven’t hosted this class here at Masterson’s in a while, so this one is likely to fill up quickly. In this informal class, you’ll learn the basics of wreath-making, from how to select and prepare the greenery to decorating tips and tricks. Yes, we’ll even tackle how to make a pretty bow, which is honestly the hardest part!
Drop off pumpkins and gourds to turn them into compost!
We’re starting to make plans for our favorite weekend of the year! This year’s Honey Harvest Festival is sure to be a great time, so mark your calendars and join us for honey tasting, demonstrations, free classes, awesome vendors, and lots of mead!
We are thrilled to partner with Tara and Jeff Hahn of Hahn's Honeybee Haven to present an in-depth look at preparing hives for winter.
Tara and Jeff have years of beekeeping experience under their ...beesuits?...and have developed some highly successful methods for overwintering hives in all sorts of conditions. Their success rate is fantastic, and well-deserved as they have put a great deal of time into learning, researching, and practicing the art of keeping bees.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
We all know that we're supposed to inspect our hives. But what the heck are we looking for in there?
Join us in the apiary for a hand-on experience. We'll open up a hive together and see what the bees can teach us. From suiting up and lighting a smoker to proper hive etiquette to locating the queen, we'll share what we've picked up over the years.
In this class, we'll cover everyone's least favorite part of beekeeping: hive health issues. While we will certainly touch on other pests, this class will focus on the varroa mite. Varroa mites are one of the biggest threats to the health of honeybee colonies, and having a plan in place for managing these pests is an important part of keeping healthy colonies.
Western New York’s largest specialty garden center