| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 06 2013 : 11:39:16 AM
This is not a good picture. But there is a honey bee on the left tall flower.
The bees are here!!! I have a lot of dandelion and violets and old collards that are flowering right now. And the bees are busy! I saw several honey bees and a bumble bee. Plus lots of wasps. As long as they leave the others alone and me, I don't mind them. But I am SO happy to see honey bees. But the bumble bees are even better to have around for pollinating. Honey bees only do so much. But bumble bees do a bit more. So it's good to have a variety of bees around to do specific jobs for you.
This is the "wild" garden. I'm going to throw wildflower seeds out there. And there are 7 blueberry bushes in bloom right now too.
Anyone else seeing bees yet? I just love bees.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 17 2013 : 05:12:04 AM
That's so funny, Michele! I bet they thought you were serious. No, I haven't even thought of doing that. I don't know if there are enough names for all these bees. I have 3 really old apple trees here in the front yard. Yesterday, they were FULL of all kinds of bees! I just stood under the fullest tree and listened to all that buzzing and watched them all working so hard. There were several kinds of bees on the trees. One was a black bee the same size as the honey bee. And a really small mini honey bee too. Does anyone know what thise are?
I also have several elderberry bushes-trees here. I can't wait for them to bloom. And I got 3 more blueberry bushes Monday I need to get planted. That makes 10 so far. I'd like my whole front yard in blueberries. They seem to really like it there. I have treid for years to get them to grow all over this farm. I have finally found the spot they like.
A photographer from Chattanooga is coming this morning to take pictures. I wish now we had waited til the first of May. The sheep will be sheared and Sandy will have had her kids by then. But maybe she can come back then.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| windypines |
Posted - Apr 17 2013 : 05:01:40 AM
Kris did you name your bees yet? :) My ma and dad were here once, and I said oh look there is Hannah on that flower. Dad looked at me funny, and then laughed!
Michele |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 15 2013 : 6:34:55 PM
I love bumblebees. They actually do more than the honey bee does. I hope you get some bees some day.
Those bees were all over the place today. It was warm and sunny and they were out and about. Very interesting for sure.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| texdane |
Posted - Apr 15 2013 : 2:03:21 PM
Love bees. Beekeeping is on my bucket list - I'd love to do that. So far here, my bee report is one, big giant bumblebee that keeps buzzing around me in the front flower yard. Looks like he's sunning himself!
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 14 2013 : 4:27:35 PM
Didn't think about that, Tina. Thanks. I will do that now. I have a big rock in my birdbath.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| oldbittyhen |
Posted - Apr 14 2013 : 1:19:23 PM
Kristen, float peices of wood in the water so your bees have an easier time getting out, they can rest and dry off before they get back to work...I have "7" wild hives on my property that I know of, so far they are pretty calm, so I hope they stay that way, just wish the honey was easy to get to, no such luck...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 14 2013 : 11:23:25 AM
Michele, I have a full suit with the hat attached. I just didn't have it on that night. I did have it on when we unloaded the 3 hives though. I don't really like it though. I might go get just a hat. And gloves too. Then those velcro things that go around the pant legs. I do have boots too.
Linda, it does have that landing strip. I love to watch them take off and land. So cute. I went out late last night to take the entrance reducer off. First time to use the hive tool. I could hear the bees in there when I was done. It just took a few seconds but they didn't like it. I just left it on the ground. And ran! I saw a dead bee in the sheep water bucket awhile ago. So sad. I have a bird bath and 2 ponds where they can get water. And I bought the cutest little colorful small water bowl on a ctand and put it in their yard with water.
I'll go Wed. to the bee store and pick up some more things I'll need soon. And I got an extra box with frames that I'm supposed to put on later in the week. This is so fun. I love going out there and just watching them. I see them all over the yard too!
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| wooliespinner |
Posted - Apr 14 2013 : 10:25:26 AM
Kris so glad you got your bees!!!I bet you are so excited.
One of the things that would make it easier on your bees and we have them on ours is a board to land on in front of the entrance to the hive. Its makes it easier for their comings and goings. They kinda use it like a landing strip at an airport.I was not sure by the picture if you had one or not. Anyway congrats on your new bees. Take care and enjoy.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| windypines |
Posted - Apr 14 2013 : 04:18:00 AM
Congratulations on the new hive. You will love the whole experience. I hope they do well for you. Kris either tie your pants legs or wear tall boots. That will keep the bees out. Also if you do get stung, try to remove the stinger right away. You can chew up some plantain and apply to sting. If you are not wearing gloves, remember to take any rings off before getting into the hive. I have been stung a few times on the hands, and I think it hurts! Now I always wear gloves. Keep reading about them too.
Michele |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 13 2013 : 7:39:37 PM
I got my hive late last night. I love them already. They are amazing. I went to another bee workshop today and learned SO much more. So far so good. And I only got stung once last night. One went up my pant leg and stung me behind my right knee. Didn't even hurt. It was kind of crazy, with lots of people there to get their hives too. Thank goodness, we got there first. It took 5 1/2 hours, from start to a hive in my yard.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| Bear5 |
Posted - Apr 11 2013 : 8:30:11 PM
And- they chew right through the wood! Of course, they've never come after me like the wasp do! LOL
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 11 2013 : 5:10:00 PM
No bees today. The time we were going to get them was right in the middle of some bad weather. So have to wait til tomorrow now.
Marly, I remember some neighbor kids hitting them with baseball bats. They are huge.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| Bear5 |
Posted - Apr 11 2013 : 4:12:45 PM
Kris, yes! we have those carpenter bees, also! Some of them are giants!!! LOL. My outside cats swat at them.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 11 2013 : 09:47:07 AM
This is a better shot of the "wild" garden with the blueberry bushes.
I am not mowing any dandelions or clover or henbit. I want the bees to be happy and have all they want.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| wooliespinner |
Posted - Apr 11 2013 : 09:23:23 AM
That should be fine.
We were in the 80's the past few days and I was so hot trying to work outside. Even the goats were panting.We were suppose to get storms last night but it past us. They are calling for some today. Its rained a little bit but not even enough to knock the pollen and dust down. We shall see if we get any this afternoon.
Our bees have been out collecting pollen like crazy. They have been collecting from this plant that covers the pastures every spring I think its called purple dead nettle. The pollen on their back legs is like a flurescent red. Its even on the tops of their heads.Its the brightest pollen I have ever seen.
Hope the weather cooperates soon so you can get your wonderful bees.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 11 2013 : 08:54:25 AM
Linda, the hive will be in the far corner of the sheep yard. I'm going to put a fence around it. The sheep aren't in this yard much now. Just at night. And sheep are so calm most of the time. Plus, they are so darn wooly right now, a bee couldn't get through to sting them. I have got to get these poor sheep sheared SOON. It's in the 80's now and they are panting, poor things.
If we get the storms they are calling for, I don't think we'll go tonight.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| wooliespinner |
Posted - Apr 10 2013 : 7:25:39 PM
Kristin you need to be careful where you put them. A friend of mine put them in her goat lot and the goats got near the hive and they stung her goat so bad it killed the goat. She took the goat to the vet but there was to many stings.
We use to have ours inside the goat pasture and our goats got close to the hives and they were stung many times but not enough to hurt them.Its not that the bees are being mean they just smell the carbon dioxide from the animal and it sets them off as they view them as a threat. You may already know this but just wanted to make sure and to be safe. Good luck with your hives. I had no idea you were getting one already established. You will probably get honey this year which will be super cool.Take care.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 10 2013 : 6:01:05 PM
Linda, this is an already established hive. Full of bees already. My friend came over today and we decided to put the hive up front in the sheep yard in the corner by the big maple tree. It'll be much easier to get them there than way up in the back. And this way, I can keep an eye on them better. And we are in for the same weather as you. Some severe storms. So we may have to wait a few more days to get the bees. So we can get his truck right up to where we will put the hive. Much easier.
Marly, there are bees all over the place here. The carpenter bees are buzzing all over the house. And those horrid orange wasps are up in the eaves. I hate them. And of course the honey bees. I wonder now if there is a wild hive nearby. There are several hives about 5 miles South of me. I wonder if they belong there?
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| Bear5 |
Posted - Apr 10 2013 : 4:30:52 PM
Kris, we have bees here. They are pollinating all over the yard and my flowers.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Apr 10 2013 : 1:25:05 PM
Kristin take the hive out on a wagon or dolley. Don't put your bees in until you have everything set up and ready to go. Moving the hive once they are in there is not that easy and could really upset them.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Apr 10 2013 : 1:23:19 PM
Kristin we have several mason bee houses. You can buy them reasonable from gardens supply. They are made from bamboo pieces cut and glued together. They are so fun and fascinating to watch. My son has taken video of them and put them on utube.We just love them and each year their population has grown.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 10 2013 : 07:17:57 AM
I'm going up tomorrow night with some friends to get our hives!!!! So exciting! I guess I better get out back and put the fence up in the corner for them. I am wondering now, how I am going to get that hive way out there to where I want it to go. By myself. Through 2 gates, lots of mud and probably rain, and a hill.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 08 2013 : 7:39:59 PM
Oh Bonnie, sounds like Old Man Winter wants to hang on up there. We are in the 70's and 80's here this week. But Thursday we could be in for some nasty storms. Everyone is on edge around here because 2 years in a row we had tornadoes in April here and they were horrible. Still see the effects from 2 years ago.
Stay warm up there!
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Apr 08 2013 : 7:20:49 PM
I'm so glad you have honeybees. They are essential to polinating. Your weather must be fabulous. We're supposed to get 6" of snow this week. I'll have to wait for my honeybees.
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| Emily Anna |
Posted - Apr 07 2013 : 4:13:52 PM
Kristin,
The class you took sounds really interesting and informative! I've always liked bees, I understand what an important role they play, and I've always went out of my way to to not harm them. I guess I really don't know that much about them though. Now you've got me really intriged. You're right Kristin, they are amazing creatures and so much fun to watch in the garden! Susan, It is really scary what is happening to the bee population!!
Emily |
