Hello my one reader !
Belated Easter felicitations to you.
I'm writing after the fullest pre-Easter beekeeping for as long as I can remember. I'm on to 2nd on all and even a third inspection on one hive - I can't recall when this has happened for me for a very very long time and I've been keeping bees since I was 14 (I'm north of 40 now)
The weather and an early OSR crop has really spurred the bees on.
Having said that, I assisted an elder statesman of the beekeeping world this weekend and it was obvious where there was no OSR within foraging distance his bees were further behind those that were close or adjacent - but no further back than one would usually expect for the time of year I may add.
On the paddock front, the sale should complete by the end of April. As the legals are proceeding nicely, the vendor has said I can move what I want to the site - very kind - so I have popped my seedlings into the poly tunnel and am making plans on the layout of the site for the bees and nucs too.
I've decided to use part of the garage for a fully fitted out extraction room with clean sides and floor, and build am open sided shelter for kit that isn't in use or for over wintering, The garage is bee proof and just needs a mesh screen and an extractor vent for comfort during extracting.
Also, I've taken advice not to plant any pot grown fruit trees in spite of my enthusiasm, but wait until the autumn and go for bare roots.
Fingers crossed the warmer weather stays - although we could do with some rain !!
KR
Somerford
Belated Easter felicitations to you.
I'm writing after the fullest pre-Easter beekeeping for as long as I can remember. I'm on to 2nd on all and even a third inspection on one hive - I can't recall when this has happened for me for a very very long time and I've been keeping bees since I was 14 (I'm north of 40 now)
The weather and an early OSR crop has really spurred the bees on.
Having said that, I assisted an elder statesman of the beekeeping world this weekend and it was obvious where there was no OSR within foraging distance his bees were further behind those that were close or adjacent - but no further back than one would usually expect for the time of year I may add.
On the paddock front, the sale should complete by the end of April. As the legals are proceeding nicely, the vendor has said I can move what I want to the site - very kind - so I have popped my seedlings into the poly tunnel and am making plans on the layout of the site for the bees and nucs too.
I've decided to use part of the garage for a fully fitted out extraction room with clean sides and floor, and build am open sided shelter for kit that isn't in use or for over wintering, The garage is bee proof and just needs a mesh screen and an extractor vent for comfort during extracting.
Also, I've taken advice not to plant any pot grown fruit trees in spite of my enthusiasm, but wait until the autumn and go for bare roots.
Fingers crossed the warmer weather stays - although we could do with some rain !!
KR
Somerford
