Started watering the trees and found wax month larve

We started watering the trees on Sunday. Each tree receives about 6.5 - 7 litres of water. Its applied to the tree. This is done my soaking the manure around each tree, which should then trickle down through the compost and soil and into the roots. The idea is that the manure acts as a mulch and retains and releases the water slowly to the trees. The water is applied in the evening as its getting cooler.

Its taking ages and is much harder than I expected it would be, as the hose pipe that was down at the orchard has holes in it and someone's nicked some of the attachments. The hose pipe has been down at the orchard for the past 3 years and now needs replacing. I probably won't leave the replacement on site again.

We wanted to ensure that each tree got an equal measure hence we had bought watering cans so we knew how much water each tree received. The watering can hold 6.5 - 7 litres and we may spill a little, while pouring it into the watering can.

My wife and the kids all helped and they seem to have enjoyed it. It was a hot evening and spraying water around is fun.

More manure has arrived. It's going to take a while to shift, I may even be a little fitter once its all been done.

Checked on the bees. All the bees are fine and I have lost 1 colony over the winter. The colony that I lost was the smallest, I had and in truth it was only 1 frame of bees, it should have been at least 3 frames to get through. They have taken some of the fondant down, but most of it is it on the top of the hive.

I was hoping to start putting the supers on to the hive this week, however I discovered some wax moth lave on the tops of the frames. I have started to burn a layer off the frames. Whist doing this I found more larvae. This was worrying and I think I may lose most of the wax and the bees may have to build more to hold the honey. I should also put some in the hives and do a Bailey comb change. Will let you know how the bees are. This work with the wax needs to be done as soon as possible.

The Almonds are in bloom

2012 Almond Blossom

I visited the orchard and today and what should greet me at the entrance. Both my almond trees are in bloom and its beautiful. The flowers look delicate and once you stick yout nose into the bloosom you can smell it.

2012 Almond Blossom

I check the rest of the trees and all is well. Much of the manure that was put around the trees early on before winter has been sucked ito the ground and has been absorebed well. It has rained twice over the week not much but enough to give the orchard a little sparkle and encorage growth.

Pear tree buds

The buds on the pear trees glow bigger as do the apple buds show below. A couple more weeks perhaps a month and the blossom will be in its full splendour.

Apple tree buds

Almonds or Quince which will bloom first

Quince Buds getting ready to open

 The race is on to see which will come into blossom first the Quince or the Almond. Which ever it is I look forward to it.

Almond buds getting fuller

I was down at the orchard today and found a little more damage on one of the trees. So I put up more rabbit guards. I still have loads of trees to protect and finding the time is difficult at the moment.

I'm not sure which of the trees will blossom first will it be the quince or the almond. The buds on both are growing faster and larger. It has rained once this week and though not a heavy downpour its not enough to nourish the trees properly, but even a little water seems to liven the trees. I'm glad I put the manure down as it does seem to absorb the rain.

My wife and kids were down and helped me to put up the rabbit guards  and they also helped me to search for ladybirds. The kids were very successful and found a number on various trees.


This was a picture of a mushroom that's growing under one of the trees. It was very pretty.

The buds are getting larger

Quince will be Blossoming soon

We had some good rain on Sunday morning, that's the first soaking the trees have had in a couple of weeks. The rain was really welcome. Then last night the temperature dropped to 3C which may have killed off a couple of bugs, but it should really be colder and wetter this time of year. I and lots of other fruit growers are probably hoping for rain.

Pear Buds 

Checked on the trees on Saturday and they all seem fine, no new damage, though I can see hoof prints in some parts of the orchard. No one has told me that any of the horses has managed to get in, but didn't see many people around.

Almond Buds

The bees have started to bring in a yellow pollen probably, willow or something similar but I can't be certain. This is good I still haven't been into the hives just watched the entrances as they come and go. Some of the hives really are a hive of activity while one has been relatively quiet.

The one that’s quiet is the one I topped up with a 12 Kilo block of sugar fondant a couple of weeks ago so they don't really need to go out searching for food yet. I will suit up for the first time this coming weekend if the weather is permitting.

I have ordered my Tickets for this year’s Bee keepers Spring Convention and have looked at some of the lectures on the 20th; I'm going to attend some with my wife.

Looks like the ladybirds have gathered for a  conference 

My daughter managed to fine about 8 ladybirds huddled together over the weekend. Let’s hope they survive and can consume loads of aphids when they start appearing, it looks like its going to be a good year for both species.

The buds are getting larger and I think the Almond trees may burst into flower soon although the quince still look a likely contender.

I went to visit the diary farmer and have put an order in for more manure. It should be with me fairly soon.