| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| windypines |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 03:21:27 AM
checked on my hive yesterday. Temps were high 30's. Just a quick peak to see how their candy board was holding out. About half gone. And there is lots of activity. So hoping my girls make it. If they do, this will be the second year of success. The only thing I have started doing different was probiotics, once a month spring thru fall. It is a powder you sprinkle on about a tsp over the brood. The guy were I have purchased the bees highly recommended it. I do to. Sorry I don't remember what all is in it.
Last year they also got a garage in a box over them, to try to protect them more from weather. The south end is open for the sunshine.
Farming in WI
Michele
FGOTM June2019
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| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| katmom |
Posted - Apr 08 2023 : 5:06:04 PM
I too have noticed a smaller number of bees this past summer…
Unfortunately I have noticed our neighbor has the pest exterminator out routinely these past 3 years and I am concerned that the toxic chemicals being spray is the reason for our declining number of bees :>(
I and one of my other neighbors are all about organic and chemical free gardening…
I think I might plant more wild flowers on the other side of our acreage.
I noticed my Bee house didn’t get used by the bees, I will have to wait and see what emerges..
Bee-happy
Bee-kind
Bee-gentle
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
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| Dreamer42 |
Posted - Apr 08 2023 : 1:04:59 PM
Thank you, Michele, I will try that!
Dreamer42
Farmgirl Sister #7038 |
| windypines |
Posted - Apr 08 2023 : 03:20:40 AM
April you could try a drop of lemon grass eo on a cotton ball, and put in your little hive. Not sure if it would work or not to attract bees, but my friend had a swarm move into one of her hives that way. With warmer temps forecasted here finally, I will get out the syrup feeder and pollen patty for my bees. If it really warms I will take a peak and see what their numbers look like and what they are doing.
Farming in WI
Michele
FGOTM June2019
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| Dreamer42 |
Posted - Feb 15 2023 : 5:38:22 PM
We have two large hills of lavendars in our back yard, we planted them 17 years ago, big and beautiful and they do attract the bees... last few years our bee population has been noticeably lower in numbers... last year was much better. A dear friend of mine gifted me a little bee house a couple years ago, but I can't seem to get any bees to use it... any tips? Maybe we are just way too cold here on our high desert in the winter months.
Dreamer42
Farmgirl Sister #7038 |
| suny58 |
Posted - Feb 14 2023 : 2:09:51 PM
I too love the sound of buzzing bees! It's very therapeutic! Kind of like a purring cat, well kinda. Michele is very blessed. I've heard nothing but sad stories at the bee meetings from fires destroying hives to the utter destruction of colonies due to parasites. So sad here and touchy
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
| katmom |
Posted - Feb 14 2023 : 1:59:36 PM
One of the things I miss about living In Central & SO CAL,, are the Bee Hives out in the Orchards and fields...
Fortunately, our Flowering Quince tree here,, attracts lots & lots of different Bees... you can stand under the tree and listen to their active buzzing..
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom and Glamping Diva!
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| Red Tractor Girl |
Posted - Feb 14 2023 : 11:19:53 AM
Michele, I love hearing about your success with Bees. I know they are quite sensitive to various things that kill them and harsh Winters can also be difficult.
Dianna, the photo of the bee swarm is great! I have never seen one either and it is very impressive. I have been enjoying the buzzing of the bumblebees on my blooming Azalea bush outside may window by my computer desk. Buzzing bees is a reassuring sound to me and I enjoy hearing it every time I get the opportunity.
Winnie #3109
Red Tractor Girl
Farm Sister of the Year 2014-2015
FGOTM- October 2018 |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Feb 13 2023 : 12:50:14 PM
Michele, I am happy to hear your bees are doing so well. I hope they continue to have an amazing journey.
Dianna, your flowers are beautiful. Hopefully you will continue to get some bees to stop by.
Krista |
| windypines |
Posted - Feb 13 2023 : 02:41:03 AM
thanks for any and all bee happy thoughts, they need them all.
Farming in WI
Michele
FGOTM June2019
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| Wanda Sue |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 11:59:33 AM
Dianna I love your flowers!
A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel.
Farm Girl #3677
FGOTM August 2022 |
| nndairy |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 10:58:23 AM
What great news Michele!
Dianna - love your flowers!
I'd love to try my hand at beekeeping but there's too much on my plate right now. We have a lot of bees in the pastures. I plant some flowers as well but nothing like yours Dianna!
~Heather
Farmgirl Sister #4701
September 2014 Farmgirl of the Month
"The purpose of life is to enjoy every moment" - Yogi teabag
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| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 09:37:52 AM
It's wonderful your bees are holding on this winter Michele! Hope they continue to thrive and that you will have another successful growing season on your farm. I know winter is no where close to ending by you in northwestern WI. Keep up the good work with the probiotics. It's nice you have someone to mentor you through the process each year.
Dawn in IL
The fireside is the tulip bed of a winter day.
(Persian Proverb) |
| suny58 |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 08:28:44 AM
Thanks, I do it for the bees! Wish I could do it the way Michele does tho but I'm thankful God sends whatever bees are still around! I'm blessed!
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
| Blessed in Colorado |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 08:26:20 AM
I love all your Beautiful flowers Dianna!
Big Hugs,
Debbie
#1582
Blessed in Oregon
With Colorado on My Mind
Farmgirl of the Month September 2012, February 2018, September 2022
“My altars are My Mountains
and the Ocean.” Lord Byron”
When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple, I am Old now!!
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| YellowRose |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 08:07:32 AM
Beautiful flowers!
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014
FGOTM Sept 2015 & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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| suny58 |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 07:39:01 AM
Here's the swarm I wished I'd been able to have a box for, some of the flowers I grow in just a small section!
Michele, will you post pics of your bees plz??
 
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 07:11:26 AM
Dianna sorry to hear you lost your hive. Your 1/2 acre of flowers must be beautiful in full bloom and a haven for bees and butterflies, maybe a hummingbird or two.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014
FGOTM Sept 2015 & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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| suny58 |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 06:33:12 AM
Sara, I don't now because of the mites and hive destruction so I plant 1/2 acre of flowers, organic plus all our wildflowers! I still have my bee box tho. Sure love them all!!
Michele's is successful! Thank God their are still good bee keepers around!!
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
| YellowRose |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 06:27:10 AM
Michelle and Dianna, it's great y'all have beehives. I had a few bees last year on my flowers and herbs.
Hugs, Sara "FarmGirl Sister" #6034 Aug 2014
FGOTM Sept 2015 & Feb 2019
Lord put your arm around my shoulders & your hand over my mouth.
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| suny58 |
Posted - Feb 12 2023 : 05:27:14 AM
Ohhhh, so praying for ypur sweet little bees Michelle!! I'm envious! We've had several swarms come through but leave quickly. We have huge problems with mites! It's always so hot, humid, damp! I'm ready to try a vertical hive to see how it does! Sending happy positive bee wishes your way!! Lucky lady!
Farmgirl #7103
FGOTM January 2018
Dianna
"Blessed are they that see beautiful things in humble places, where other people see nothing." Pissarro |
