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.