Bees on allotment

[busybee53]

This is the first season we have had bees on our allotments. In fact the other plotholders kept asking me how soon they would be there.

I had read that this would improve crops by 30 per cent but did not believe it. We had rotten weather and I had to feed the bees till recently but they must have nipped out when they could because I have loads more raspberries than usual and even though I pulled out a lot of my strawberry bed last year (the plants were old) I seem to have a lot of them too.

Now I am still buying sugar - to make jam. Two more batches and I will have enough to last to this time next year. I got loads more gooseberries too. Can't wait for the marrows and beans. Did anyone else see such improvements?

 

[Easy Beesy]

that's a great success story. well done, you, and the bees!

 

[Queens59]

Our apple trees were overloaded last year...branches had to be supported, unfortunately this year the rain hit the blossom before the bees, so we may end up with 20-30lb instead of 2-300

 

[MuswellMetro]

Our apple trees were overloaded last year...branches had to be supported, unfortunately this year the rain hit the blossom before the bees, so we may end up with 20-30lb instead of 2-300

agree, seen similar results in my area

 

[Baggyone]

Apples look like being particularly poor this year.
My fave fruit.

 

[steve1958]

I think the Allotment Keepers on my site are particularly gratful for the Honey Bees this year.
The weather has been so wet and cold, and yet the Busy Bees have still been seen out pollinating the crops

 

[Marie the Bee]

On the plot!

We have 2 hives in our communal orchard on our organic allotment - bees are doing really well! I am very green though! Only my 2nd year of bee keeping. I have had nothing but grief from plot holders who complain endlessly about the risk of being stung - I am trying really hard to educate them all but am finding it very difficult! Does anyone else have opposition to keeping bees on allotments?

 

[busybee53]

Marie. You have got to the heart of it there.

Before I put the bees on our allotments I was very worried that people would complain about them.

When I asked the permission of the site steward I told him that I intended to ask the other plotholders for their opinions and I reported back to him what they had all said.

I had intended to do this in any case because just one person who did not want bees there could have resulted in complaints and me being asked to remove the bees.

When it came to putting up fencing around the bees (to make them fly above head height) I asked the steward to put up a notice asking for help from other plotholders. More people than needed came but it was an important part of getting them all onside, and of course I gave some honey to those who helped or who had put some money towards the building materials.

They are all in favour of the bees.

You have done things perhaps the other way round so now you will need to try to educate, as you say.

I would think it would be worth finding out if anyone has had higher yields of produce now there are bees and if so getting them to tell all their friends.

If you have any honey this year (unlike me) that always goes a long way towards making people like bees.

If you have a spare bee suit you could also pick the most influential person or the most interested person and let them have a look when you inspect. Once someone has seen inside they will want to tell all their friends about it.

Keep it up and you will get there, good luck.

 

[psafloyd]

My soft fruit has been far more abundant this year, despite the weather and the bramble is phenomenal. Everything this year appears to have far more blossom and fruit, which I can't imagine is down to the bees, but if they want to believe it is, who am I to try and dissuade them?

 

[ratcatcher]

I really think all allotments are different and what works at one, wont at another, a new aqquired allotment site are bending over backwards for me to hive bee's there, they have given me an area for an apairy, they are paying and erecting all screening etc, even though a few members have been stung (not by my bee's of course) they are asking me to put a second hive there

 

[SixFooter]

This is the first season we have had bees on our allotments. In fact the other plotholders kept asking me how soon they would be there.

I had read that this would improve crops by 30 per cent but did not believe it. We had rotten weather and I had to feed the bees till recently but they must have nipped out when they could because I have loads more raspberries than usual and even though I pulled out a lot of my strawberry bed last year (the plants were old) I seem to have a lot of them too.

Now I am still buying sugar - to make jam. Two more batches and I will have enough to last to this time next year. I got loads more gooseberries too. Can't wait for the marrows and beans. Did anyone else see such improvements?

I read that as well and it was the driving force behind me starting Beekeeping. However, I'm too busy these days to pick any fruit, so I dont know if it is true. What with Bee Keeping and swarm collecting and Queen rearing etc

 

[madasafish]

I read that as well and it was the driving force behind me starting Beekeeping. However, I'm too busy these days to pick any fruit, so I dont know if it is true. What with Bee Keeping and swarm collecting and Queen rearing etc

Well No. I started three years ago. And frankly the summers were rubbish - -fine to June and then lots of rain. This year it has been reversed : and we have a bumper rasps crop no strawberries as the badgers ate them.)

I suspect the weather pays a key role.. (no apples or plums or damsons this year due to late frosts)

 

[busybee53]

Madasafish. Sorry to hear you have no plum crop to speak of. We had a bumper crop last year (which I polinated myself with a paintbrush) so did not expect much this year. We had a lot of snow but somehow must have missed the frost.

My tree was really buzzing with bees when the blossom was out and now I am worried for the tree. The crop is so heavy the branches are bending like fishing rods do with the weight of plums. Hopefully some will ripen soon and I can pick them off to give the tree a bit of relief.

I know I should have put some props under the branches before you all jump on me but it is just another thing I didn't get round to.

 

[oliver90owner]

Enough blossom, but only two plums on one tree. Not checked around anywhere else. No apples exept on the sheltered ones close to the house, as far as I know. SWMBO looks after the top fruit. Her fault for planting them there!!

 

[tonybloke]

very poor crop onj the apple trees in the garden this year, prob only 20% of what we had last year. too much rain washing out pollen, I reckon.

 

[psafloyd]

Enough blossom, but only two plums on one tree. Not checked around anywhere else. No apples exept on the sheltered ones close to the house, as far as I know. SWMBO looks after the top fruit. Her fault for planting them there!!

It has been an awful year for plums. The wasps are going to be going mental with the dearth...

 

[Suzi Q]

No plums for me this year as well, the fruit had set, but a late frost blackened the tiny fruitlets, so that was that. Same with cherries. Strawberries rubbish this year, potatoes/tomatoes blighted, just hope next year will be better.

 

[coffin dodger]

In my garden I have 2 plum trees, 2 apple and three pears, all of them are looking dismal, maybe just the weather or all the trees are having a rest at the same time !
Regards
CD

 

[psafloyd]

No plums for me this year as well, the fruit had set, but a late frost blackened the tiny fruitlets, so that was that. Same with cherries. Strawberries rubbish this year, potatoes/tomatoes blighted, just hope next year will be better.

Really? We had a bumper crop of strawbs and a cherry tree I took on has done well, too. Just goes to show the local effect.

 

[Suzi Q]

Really? We had a bumper crop of strawbs and a cherry tree I took on has done well, too. Just goes to show the local effect.

Yes, even on the allotments the odd tree escaped the frost, those towards the shelter of a hedge. My strawbs need changing, they are getting to the end of their life. Hopefully, in the long run the lack of fruit this year will mean the trees are rested and a bumper crop next year! I live in hope