Shoving trolley loads of the magic black smelly stuff

Been a tough weekend. Managed to get a trolley load off manure under 28 trees. It was tough work. I started at 10am and finished at 5pm. It was dark by the time I finished. I didn't really stop and take pictures this weekend just didn't have the time.

The weeds had been cleared under 17 trees by my parents during the week; this really helped. These 17 were the closest to the manure and the final 8 were at the furthest end of the orchard. That leaves the middle section of the orchard remaining for the next couple of weeks.

So under all the trees all the weeds and grass are removed. Then I piled under the manure and then spread it out evenly, then onto the next tree.

I was in pain and even a day on I feel like I had a good workout.

I have paid for the manure and given the farmer a jar of honey.

I found what looked like a maggots, turns out to be Leather jackets (Tipula paludosa)which will turn into daddy long legs. They aren't the prettiest insect.

Massive pile of poo more brambles cut down and a buzzard

Buzzard flying off

More Brambles Cut down

I have managed to get more brambles cut down but still have a good couple of days worth of work, ahead to cut down the rest and burn it down.

The pictures this week arn't great but I started work about 9am and had to finish at 11am. The shots were taken just as I was locking up for the morning. 

Bovine manure

I also fed the bees and all three hives in the orchard were doing well. I have topped up the food and all seems, healthy. Lots of bees, the weather is too cold to do a proper inspection. When I arrived it was frosty, silent and the sun was out, with a beautiful blue sky. A great day to be out in the countryside, or just out and about.

The farmer Mr Wilson has finally dropped off the manure which is great news. It does mean more work for me but great news all the same. The next couple of weekends will be spent shifting that around the orchard and getting it under the trees.  I did go and see him, but he was busy on his farm and I didn't manage to track him down, will try again next week, I did promise his wife a jar of honey, which I will also deliver next weekend. Its strange but that couple of tons of bovine manure is so pleasing for me. Its nutrients for the trees, protection and it also encourages lots of insects. many of which will benefit me and the trees.

Over the past couple of years I have seen a family of Buzzards grow and visit the orchard and the surrounding areas. Normally as soon as I arrive they fly off and just as they were heading of I managed to get the picture. It was in the next field, but I was happy I managed to get the picture. Normally by the time I have got the camera out of the case they have flow away. Its just one, huge bird. with a wing span that could be a meter. It fast, massive and very elegant to my eyes.

BBKA Module 2 Exam taken today

I've been studying for the British Bee Keepers Association Module 2 exam. It be difficult to find the time to study and get the some of the assignments done. I have been part of my local study group meeting once a month to discuss various topics and putting ideas, facts and opinions, forward with all of us contributing, to complete work. Which we would then send to be assessed. To pass the module  we have to pass a exam. Which for me was held at the Lea Marston hotel, in Warwickshire. The results arrive in about 8 weeks.

I have to admit the study was enjoyable but hard. I had to learn facts about legal requirements for honey, as a product, packaging requirements, various bits on health and safety. 

Then the study on how bees make honey and how they gather the pollen and nectar, the types of plants and trees, at what time of the year, they collect resources to make honey. Learning about the various different types of honey, from floral, Ling and Honeydew.

How honey from abroad is different. How plants communicate to the insects, from the use of colors, aromas, and even honey guides.

Then subjects on how to process the honey and other products things like what temperature and for how long. Then the more social aspects of beekeeping like Honey shows and what they are for as well as what judges would look for when assessing. I also learned about making things like mead and candles, and methods of taking the venom out of the bees. 

All interesting stuff. A couple of days or no study and then onto the the next module. 

I still have all the study notes so if you want them let me know.

Scotland 2013

Stag on the Isle of Mull

I spent the half term holiday with the kids in Scotland. We visited various places, the stag we spotted almost at dusk on the Isle of Mull on/near the Maclean ancestral home not far from the Duart castle itself.

This time of the year though many of the castles are closed we checked out Culzean Castle gardens and the orchards.The leaves have changed color and when its dry its great, not surprisingly not loads of people about. The glass houses still had grapes in them. In the orchards lots of lichen on the trees. Lots of clean air then.

Grapes in Culzean

Orchard at Culzean

A couple of highlights of the trip included a art exhibition in Ayr which ends in a couple of days but the place it was at held Maclaurin was great for the paintings it had a great cafe, and gallery. The university of Dundee gardens were lovely however the weather was a little wet, so we ended up on Dundee Law  which is a hill at the top of Dundee eating Dundee cake. Magic views from the top. I will have to visit Dundee botanical gardens again, as the weather was so very wet. I did manage a chat with one of the experts that was around.

Dundee Botanic gardens

Cutting down brambles and looking out for beneficial insects.

Two ladybirds on an apple

Not many apples left in the orchard, but the ones that are remaining seem to be attracting lots of wildlife. I had some some apples low to the ground and they seem to have been gnawed by rabbits.The place is great even though it is getting colder the grass is still growing. The bees are out about when its warm, for example on Tuesday 15th October the bees were in and out. They even cleared the hive off some dead bees.Its getting cold at night and I think they are beginning to cluster. I do still have some apples and pears on the trees. Most of the pear are quite high up and i'll need a ladder to get to them.

Ladybird in an apple with a dimple

Over the last year I had let some of the brambles grow, not really intentionally, but I guess partially through  my own laziness. The picture below shows what the drive up to the orchard looked like before I started to remove the brambles. It was at least 2 meters thick in some places. It was full of brambles and nettles.

Brambles reaching on to the drive

I started to clear it down by finding the root of the bramble cutting it and then pulling it out, it was hard work arms and legs scratched nothing massive. It was very satisfying work mind. Some of the brambles were longer than 2 meters, some were thicker than my thumb.

Brambles removed, by hand

Below is the pile of the brambles that I cut down. I will burn them in a couple of weeks, nearer to bonfire night, that weekend.The plan is to is to have a family bonfire that weekend in the orchard. Burn the brambles and cook a couple of hot potatoes in the fire. I've never done that before, I hope the kids enjoy it.

The pile of brambles

I also cut back some of the hawthorn tree that was close to the entrance of the orchard. This should allow the farmer to deliver the bovine manure. I hope he delivers it soon.

Picking Damsons Apples and giving the bees suguar fondant

Kids and me picking and eating fruit from the orchard

Me having just put in 12.5 Kgs of sugar fondant into the hive

This week I was down at the orchard and gave each of the hives a 12.5Kg block of sugar fondant they have lots of food but as they go into winter I want to be sure that they have enough to get them through the cold months and into the spring.

I will monitor the blocks and if they beginning to disappear I shall ensure that they have more fondant or a sugar syrup solution.

my son riding an imaginary horse through the orchard

We are still picking apples and they are good. On Monday we had a apple and black current crumble with custard, which contained honey. The Apples, Blackcurrants and Honey used to make the crumble are all  from the orchard, it was lovely, although I think I when a little over board with the honey and custard.

We have started to pick the Damsons and will be looking for a recipe to make a jam or chutney for the end of the week.

I went to the local dairy farm as I was expecting the bovine manure which hadn't arrived, the farmer was a little worried about this tractor hitting some of the hawthorn trees and I have agreed to cut them back so that his tractor can get through. That will have to be done next weekend. It looks like I will have a couple of busy weekends then.

2nd dose of Api guard

Hemish in bee suit

 My son and I checked on the Bees today and applied the second and final dose of Api Guard.

Bees still taking fondant down into the brood box

It started so well, both of us suited up and then I realized, I only had 1 pair of gloves I gave them to him and checked on the bees, he is only 5. I didn't really want to put my bare hands in the hive this time of year. In the spring on summer I find that the bees are more tranquil and don't sting as much. I'm happy then to put my hands in into the hive. This time of the year, when they have stored all the food for the winter months they can be more temperamental. Two of the hives were fine, I believe they would have let me put my hands into the hive and apply the second dose of apiguard with ease. The third can be more aggressive and would sting given half the chance. If I'm not careful and upset them they will follow me around the orchard until they are bored.

Hemish talking to a horse

Anyway my son was happy after having seen inside the hives and I got him away from the hives, after visiting the horses and collecting more apples, and trying a couple of plums I went back with the gloves and applied the api guard.

More fruit to pick

The grass is growing again and will need a further cut. Not sure when. Still no sign of manure wither bovine or horse. Once it arrives then I need to get it under trees before the weather turn and becomes more unsettled.