Mite Count Misadventures and Hive Inspection

Honey bees suffer terribly from varroa mites: parasites that feed off adult bee bodies and even invade their cocoon to feed on them. There’s plenty of other pests and viruses and whatnot out there trying to get the bees, but the varroa mite is the first to pay attention to. It’s also almost guaranteed to …

Hive Inspection and Preschool Bee Talk

I did a quick hive inspection today. It was hot – at 10 am – and I had forgotten to tie my long hair back, thinking the hat might keep it back, but no… So I made it quick, and just pulled out the frames to check on the pattern of brood, honey, pollen, and …

Strawberries All Taking, and Other News

strawberry bed I was skeptical about my strawberries but (again) nature proved me wrong, or rather, made up (again) for any bungling on my part. I bought 25 crowns from Nourse Farms and planted them the day they arrived in a well-prepared bed (it was crawling with worms). The instructions were to plant the crown …

Growings On

Again, mostly pictures. Too tired to write a lot of words. Gooseberries and currants growing all along the back fence Soon to be cleared winter beds, garlic and rhubarb in back Raspberry bed – free transplants Cherry tree in stone circle – currently with wild irises, soon to be permaculture guild Slightly grumpy child (in …