At Clearwater Community Gardens, our apiary sits at the heart of our mission to cultivate vibrant, sustainable spaces for pollinators, gardeners, and community members alike. Nestled alongside our vegetable plots, fruit trees, herb gardens, and pollinator garden, our honey bee hives are more than just a production project—they’re a thriving educational hub and an environmental anchor.
A Buzzing Hive of Activity
Since the gardens opened in 2014, our apiary has been a cornerstone of sustainability. Staff‐maintained honey bee hives support the pollination of countless plants within a three‑mile radius, helping produce flavorful fruits, herbs, and vegetables across the Garden grounds and surrounding neighborhoods. By supporting local bee populations, our gardens amplify ecological health—for insects, plants, and people alike.
Community Education & Engagement
Our apiary doubles as an open classroom. Under the guidance of our Bee Team Coordinator, Toni, we host seasonal tours, workshops, and “Bee Team” sessions where members learn hands‑on skills: safely inspecting hives, understanding colony structure, and harvesting honey sustainably. Coalition of Community Gardens events also include guided tours of the apiary followed by garden meetings—creating a perfect blend of learning and collaboration.
Environmental Impact & Pollinator Stewardship
Honey bees are essential pollinators, servicing fruit trees, pollinator gardens, herbs, and beyond—both within the Gardens and up to three miles out into our local ecosystem. This interconnected web supports biodiversity and garden health, greatly improving yields of seasonal produce and flowering plants. By nurturing these colonies, Clearwater Community Gardens commits to ecological stewardship in every season.
Harvest & Products
Twice annually, our apiary yields local honey that reflects Clearwater’s seasonally shifting blooms—from citrus and floral sweet spring varieties, to rich herbaceous mid‑summer blends. Harvesting is done carefully and sustainably: members extract frames under hygienic conditions, take only surplus honey, and return frames to bees for replenishment. Honey jars are shared with members and offered at community events—spreading both sweetness and awareness.
How You Can Get Involved
- Join the Bee Team – Curious about bees? Become part of our volunteer group that helps with hive inspections, seasonal care, and honey extraction. No experience needed—just good enthusiasm!
- Attend an Apiary Tour – We run guided tours and hands‑on events several times a year for members and guests to learn about honey bee biology, hive stewardship, and pollinator-friendly gardening.
- Host a Workshop or Event – Looking to engage your class, club, or group? Contact us to arrange a visit to the apiary paired with a discussion on pollinator conservation, garden-to-table education, or youth eco-education programs.
Why Our Apiary Matters
- Pollinator Preservation – By providing safe, managed hives in an urban greenspace, we help sustain honey bee colonies and support broader pollinator health in Clearwater’s urban ecosystem.
- Garden Complementarity – The bees power increased flowering, seed set, and fruit production across our shared growing spaces—from herbs to vegetables and flowering perennials.
- Community Learning – From youth to adults, the apiary creates hands-on educational opportunities into biology, environmental responsibility, and sustainable agriculture.
- Local Honey – Our honey is a seasonal reflection of our Gardens—pure, local, and community-shared. Every jar is a taste of Clearwater blooms.
Apiary & Garden Collaboration
Our apiary harmonizes naturally with our wider garden design: adjacent to fruit trees and pollinator beds, it ensures bee forage is both diverse and continuous. Composting, rainwater harvesting, and organic mulch throughout the site all help support healthy hive conditions—without chemical pesticides or harmful treatments.
Whether you’re interested in environmental education, sustainable agriculture, or simply supporting pollinators and your local ecosystem, our apiary is a vibrant, living centerpiece of Clearwater Community Gardens. Come see the hives in action, taste the local honey, and learn how these extraordinary insects are weaving life and abundance into our urban landscape—right here in Clearwater.