Its has been a quiet week especially with the heat and the huge showers. I checked on the bees on Friday and after I checked the frames and sow everything was fine I got cocky and removed my veil and sat very close to the hive entrance when a bee came and was buzzing next to my right ear. I made some fast jerky moves and guess what it stung me, and it hurt and bled.
The problem with getting stung on the ear is that you can't remove the sting, you have to find someone to help. It took roughly 30 seconds to get to my wife who removed the sting and smoked my ear.
My ear swelled up and I look like I have a cauliflower ear. Its been 3 days and it is still swollen.
The bees seem happy but I still have not seen any eggs or lave I will be taking a magnifying glass next time. I hope that they do not swarm.
I haven't checked the trees properly, I'm afraid time has not been on my side. I hope to tomorrow on on Wednesday.
The horses have been moved further up the field and have eaten a great portion of the tall grasses. It is really good, I have also got a couple of horses in other parts of the orchard eating the grass. This may be something I should do on a regular basis.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Its ticking over
The horses on the land are munching through the grass. The bees have settled in are buzzing around. The trees are growing. Its been a good week.
I have checked the bees they are doing fine. I have see two Queen cups will they want to swarm? Not sure will be talking to some of the pro's in a day or so.
I have checked the bees they are doing fine. I have see two Queen cups will they want to swarm? Not sure will be talking to some of the pro's in a day or so.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Busy Busy Bees and Horses
It been a busy couple of weeks. We have split the orchard into two, as the grass has gotten very long. The side with no trees has been turned into grazing land for a couple of horses that we have managed to loan. They are eating through the grass and are happy chasing and rolling around.
The owner of the horses is on site daily and they have plenty of water etc. They are show jumping horses and have won various awards for the owners and the riders.
The orchard itself is doing well, I have removed all the fruit, a small quantity of apples some plums and cherries and even some apricots.
This year we only want growth.
I have today managed to get the Bees and the hive set up and placed on the land. With help from Bernard Diaper and the Sutton Coldfield Bee Keepers. I still attend the classes and continue to learn and pick-up skills but from now on I can practise on my own hive.
The hive is in place on the land and surrounded by lots of new trees and small bushes. Some may take upto 40 years to start producing seeds. Most of the bushes and trees are bee friendly or produce fruit / nuts. The hive area is nice a large circle which could easily house upto five hives. I hope to have perhaps 3 in years to come. I had lots of help with this from my family. Selecting the plants, getting the land ready the digging planting and even the watering.
The owner of the horses is on site daily and they have plenty of water etc. They are show jumping horses and have won various awards for the owners and the riders.
The orchard itself is doing well, I have removed all the fruit, a small quantity of apples some plums and cherries and even some apricots.
This year we only want growth.
I have today managed to get the Bees and the hive set up and placed on the land. With help from Bernard Diaper and the Sutton Coldfield Bee Keepers. I still attend the classes and continue to learn and pick-up skills but from now on I can practise on my own hive.
The hive is in place on the land and surrounded by lots of new trees and small bushes. Some may take upto 40 years to start producing seeds. Most of the bushes and trees are bee friendly or produce fruit / nuts. The hive area is nice a large circle which could easily house upto five hives. I hope to have perhaps 3 in years to come. I had lots of help with this from my family. Selecting the plants, getting the land ready the digging planting and even the watering.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Wondering around
Its been a busy week. I havn't been on site at the orchard much this week. I checked the trees they are fine, and its a good thing I have put down the straw mulch around each tree.The grass is now getting very long, and thanks to the mulch the roots will be fine. The whole orchard is very pretty with thousands of yellow flowers.and walking through the field by wellies were covered in pollen.
I have built the beehive made a couple of mistakes, primarily on the supers but I have managed to get it fixed. I have been to various beehives this week. I've had a look around talked to people asked questions and learning practical skills. The hive still still not on site as I have not been given the bees that are being looked after by the apriary manager who is checking for diesase etc.
Later in the week we visited the Garden at the Garden Organic site in Coventry. I looked around the orchards, and they way they have set up and establised it. They are using losts more pest controls than me. Then have Grease bands, Lady bug nests, Phomone traps plenty of plants that will attract bees and other forms of wildlife. The pictures are from the Organic Garden Orchard.
I have built the beehive made a couple of mistakes, primarily on the supers but I have managed to get it fixed. I have been to various beehives this week. I've had a look around talked to people asked questions and learning practical skills. The hive still still not on site as I have not been given the bees that are being looked after by the apriary manager who is checking for diesase etc.
Later in the week we visited the Garden at the Garden Organic site in Coventry. I looked around the orchards, and they way they have set up and establised it. They are using losts more pest controls than me. Then have Grease bands, Lady bug nests, Phomone traps plenty of plants that will attract bees and other forms of wildlife. The pictures are from the Organic Garden Orchard.
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