A little hive knowledge
The buzz,
explained.
Your questions, answered by the people who care for the bees.
What am I becoming part of?
A season with real bees, cared for by Alan and Melissa in Windsor–Essex. Pick one of four tiers, name your hive and follow the season. Your honey is reserved before jars go on public sale. You never have to lift a frame or wear a suit.
How much honey will I receive?
Seed includes at least 6 × 1kg or 12 × 500g jars. Sprout includes at least 12 × 1kg or 24 × 500g jars. Bloom includes at least 18 × 1kg or 36 × 500g jars. These are guaranteed minimums. Hive Owner receives the entire harvest of one whole hive; its yield naturally varies.
When is the harvest?
We harvest once a year, in late summer. Your reserved jars are prepared after that harvest, heading into fall. The season shown at checkout is the season you are purchasing; this is not a monthly honey delivery.
What happens if my hive is lost?
We replace the hive and supply that season’s honey from a sister hive. Your tier’s guaranteed minimum stays protected. For Hive Owner, the replacement allocation is the entire harvest of the designated sister hive for that season.
Can I give a tier as a gift?
Yes. Choose “This is a gift” when buying and add the recipient’s name and a message. Gift details are saved with your order. The purchase remains in the buyer’s account; recipient account access is arranged with us separately.
Can I visit the apiary?
No. To protect our bees through biosecurity, we do not offer apiary visits. Seasonal updates bring you along from home; Hive Owner also includes an extraction-day video.
Can I have custom labels on my jars?
No. Your name goes on a hive tag, not on custom jar labels. All jars use Honey & Hive branding.
Is this the same as buying jars of local honey?
No. Retail honey is sold separately on our Local Honey page: $12 for 500g or $20 for 1kg. A hive tier includes a season of connection and the honey allocation listed for that tier.
Are there unlimited spots?
No. We care for nine hives, cap every tier and sell out of honey each year. Availability on the tier cards comes from our remaining inventory.
Will my tier renew automatically?
No. Each purchase pays for the stated annual season. There is no automatic renewal or recurring charge. You choose whether to join again.
How do I receive my honey?
Collection or delivery arrangements and any charges are shown at checkout. We confirm readiness after the harvest. Please do not arrive at the apiary; visits are not available.
Still wondering? Talk to Alan & Melissa →