Things are blooming in Lakeland — and with blooms, come bees. Between pollinating a third of the food we eat and 80% of the world’s flowering plants, bees are vital to our agriculture and way of life as we know it.

Thanks to its relatively low investment + maintenance requirements, environmental benefits, and potential for honey production, beekeeping is becoming an increasingly popular hobby. Here’s everything you need to know about starting your own colony in Lakeland.

What are the rules around beekeeping in Lakeland?

While the City of Lakeland does not have any designated regulations around beekeeping, beekeepers are required to register each of their colonies annually with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Registration and renewal fees range from $10-$100 per year, depending on how many colonies you keep.

How much time does beekeeping take?

The time commitment needed for maintaining a couple of healthy hives is pretty minimal. The University of Florida Honey Bee Lab says that the time spent with your colonies can not only depend on the season, but also on the hives' health. You may spend only one or two hours per week working with your hives from early spring through fall, and hardly any time with your hives in winter.

How do I get started?

The University of Florida Honey Bee Lab offers a wealth of educational information on how to start and maintain bee colonies. You can also join Ridge Beekeepers Association's monthly meetings to get advice + connect with fellow beekeepers.

Prefer to support the bees from a distance? You can get products made from 100% raw Florida honey from Lakeland-owned farm Bee-Haven.

Have other tips or tricks to beekeeping that we missed? Please give us a buzz.