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    Tricky swarm collection

    Hard to tell from the photo - are the bees on branches which are live ie part of a tree or shrub or dead limbs which are already cut ? If the branches can be picked up one at a time, you can just knock most of them off in to a cardboard box - you'll lose any comb they've already made and they...
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    Location and height of hive

    The main considerations for siting a hive are :- a) access for the bee-keeper - honey is heavy, lifting stuff from awkward places is a risk for your back b) keeping bees away from flying in to other people - getting friends family and neighbors stung is not popular - bees fly up usually, so...
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    Nuc position

    No reason why not as long as ;- 1) the support under the bottom hive is adequate for the total weight and 2) you tie the whole lot down somehow, so that it can't blow over. The main drawback I can see is moving the nuc later on - the usual 3 foot or 3 miles rule of thumb would apply.
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    Bees around the house gutter..

    If you would like a more precise answer than the likely ones already given, then a reasonably good photo of one of the bees will settle the matter.
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    Best flowers/plants

    looks pretty - the bees love it - doesn't provide much that's edible for the gardener.
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    Best flowers/plants

    I know - its what I do myself, in fact I built a special cold shed with a grass turf roof in to the bank on the North side of my cottage for just that purpose - however it all takes work and money to set up. So you do need to be realistic, 2 or 3 boxes of apples bought from a local fruit farm...
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    Best flowers/plants

    Rather depends on how much work you want to do - fruit trees are a good answer if you like apples, plums etc - you need them far enough apart to be able to mow underneath and not so tall that you break your neck climbing 40 foot ladders to pick them. They need a bit of knowledgeable care when...
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    SWARM REPORT... hows it goimg in your area

    I got two swarms in the sunny weather the other week - one picked up in a neighbor's garden, one in an empty hive. I missed one call, as I was out, and another keeper took those. Nothing in the last 10 days.
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    Plant id please

    Still looks like Pyracantha to me from the leaves - should be an easy enough job to tell, if/when it develops berries.
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    Plant id please

    Bit hard to see - really need a close-up of flowers and leaves - might it be a Pyracantha ?
  11. N

    Gardens of Suburbia : Forage month by month

    Mowed my "lawn" today - usually leave it a bit longer for the white clover but this year the bees don't seem interested - presumably the bramble is keeping them busy.
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    Gardens of Suburbia : Forage month by month

    several bees on a small patch of Rose of Sharon in my garden - I hadn't realised it was that popular - bright, dark orange pollen
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    Collecting swarms

    I generally charge £10 if I get called to drive somewhere for a swarm, but I use a bit of discretion if it seems the money might be a problem.
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    Gardens of Suburbia : Forage month by month

    Ceanothus is the most poplar plant with bees in my garden - can have upwards of 40 on it on a warm afternoon.
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    Gardens of Suburbia : Forage month by month

    None too sure what my bees are working - loads of blossom out, as others have mentioned - haven't noticed a single honey-bee on any of them :-)
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    Is the empress tree good forage for bees?

    I've grown Paulownias from seed - very easy to germinate. The tallest one is now about 2 metres, so too early for a bee verdict. I shouldn't think there'd be much of a problem with them self-seeding in the UK though, as any frost would put pay to the seedlings.
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    Where to purchase mesh

    If you are looking to save a few quid, an old spark guard for an open fire is about the right size and easy to cut with snips. You could try freegle or a car boot.
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    Gardens of Suburbia : Forage month by month

    Looks like the Hawthorne blossom will be out here before the end of April - lots of buds visible. Weather cold and damp though - ho hum.
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    Gardens of Suburbia : Forage month by month

    The bees are generally the best guide as to whether a flower has anything useful to them or not. Not all cherries are equal - most "flowering Cherries" are sterile. Try putting on your high-vis vest and work boots and planting a few wild cherries in between the others ?
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    Is everyone as far behind last year as I am? (AT LEAST 2 weeks)

    Cold and wet here today - no sign of the bees - forecast to be colder over the weekend max of about 9C. Typical English Spring weather I suppose. Won't be long before the plum blossom is out though, by the look of things.
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