I know I talk about the weather a lot, so feel free to scan past the first paragraph. But, today was like the first time Jilda and I stood at the Golden Gate Bridge and looked across the bay at the city. The wind off the water had a nip, but the quality of the light from the afternoon sun made me feel as if I were seeing the light for the first time. Today was kind of like that.
The temperature dropped into the 40s last night, but it warmed up quickly. The dogs wrestled, nipped,
barked and chased everything with legs or wings. When we rounded the shady side of the house, the rhododendron that my mama gave me 30 years ago had bloomed. Jilda had snapped a picture a few days ago, but today it was out in its full glory. Of course, I had to snap a photo too.
I'd taken the old tiller to the shop a few weeks ago and picked it up on Friday.
This morning after our walk, I fired that baby up and tilled the middles of the inground garden. After I finished, Jilda and I saw on the garden swing and blessed out for a while admiring our contribution to Mother Nature's work.
After a pleasant Sunday afternoon nap, I called my neighbor and asked if I could come over and shovel up a load of horse manure for the garden. He was was happy to oblige. The horses observed from a distance. I'm guessing they were thinking - what an idiot!
Once home, I unloaded the trailer onto our compost pile. Our garden will be sooooooo happy.
Jilda stepped down to tell me that our bees had swarmed again.
WHAT?????
This time, I used the tools that my beekeeping mentor gave me earlier in the week, and the capture went down without a hitch. So once I put them in a box in the morning, we will have seven beehives.
I'm hoping our bees pollinate our half of the county and help increase the bounty for all our friends and neighbors.
We have had nothing but rain and it was cold, something like 37F last wee we saw snow but, thankfully, nothing stayed. Why do the bees do that?? I would be too scared to taken them down.
ReplyDeleteBees normally swarm in March, April, and May. It’s a survival of the species activity.
DeleteThe hive starts building up after winter when things begin to bloom.
The old queen takes half of female worker bees and swarm.
They often latch onto a small tree or something close to the original hive.
Scout bees look for a new home and then come back and fetch the rest of the swarm.
Wow on the swarming.
ReplyDeleteAnd how wonderful.
Bees are in danger I beleive - but not near you or Jilda.
Now I have to Google Bees and swarming.
ReplyDeleteI used to hate the dandelions in my yard but after following your bee tales I embrace my "weeds" that flower here at the Pines. We're going to ask our neighbors for some alpaca poop and they will probably look at us the same way...or spit at us!(the alpaca, not the neighbors!)
ReplyDeleteI’m not keeping our property as manicured as I once did.
DeleteWe’re letting clover, yar, dandelions, and other “weeds” bloom.
We’ve also planted a ton of new shrubs, fruit trees and wildflowers this spring.
I'm glad about the successful harvesting of the swarm. That must be satisfying.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Seems to be a lot of unrest there with those bees swarming. Makes one wonder why. Hopefully your 7th hive will prove to be enough. You re going to be a very busy bee keeper. Things are finally starting to bloom in Ohio at long last we too can enjoy some Spring flowers and not just the showers.
ReplyDeleteSwarming is amazing. I wonder how they live in a WAD. Nature is a mystery. I am enjoying the BEE lessons. Thanks. I can't see how you can 'pop' them out on forked branches. It would be nice if you could tell them to stick to the end of a branch. BUT it is all interesting.
ReplyDeleteSherry & jack
Your bees are certainly prolific. Before long their square footage will be more than yours.
ReplyDeleteYour garden will be happy indeed.
ReplyDeleteTake some photos of your bees and their dwelling?
Such an interesting post
ReplyDelete