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Across the Fence:                  all the buzzzzzz   | 
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                 windypines 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                4533 Posts
  
                Michele 
                Bruce 
                Wisconsin 
                
                USA 
                4533 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  03:21:27 AM
                        
                      
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                      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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                 suny58 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                4521 Posts
   
                Dianna 
                Jack 
                Al. 
                USA 
                4521 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  05:27:14 AM
                        
                      
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                      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 | 
                     
                    
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                 YellowRose 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                7476 Posts
   
                Sara 
                Paris 
                TX 
                USA 
                7476 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  06:27:10 AM
                        
                      
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                      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 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                4521 Posts
   
                Dianna 
                Jack 
                Al. 
                USA 
                4521 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  06:33:12 AM
                        
                      
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                      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 | 
                     
                    
                       Edited by - suny58 on Feb 12 2023  1:19:43 PM | 
                     
                    
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                 YellowRose 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                7476 Posts
   
                Sara 
                Paris 
                TX 
                USA 
                7476 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  07:11:26 AM
                        
                      
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                      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 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                4521 Posts
   
                Dianna 
                Jack 
                Al. 
                USA 
                4521 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  07:39:01 AM
                        
                      
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                      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 | 
                     
                    
                       Edited by - suny58 on Feb 12 2023  1:19:10 PM | 
                     
                    
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                 YellowRose 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                7476 Posts
   
                Sara 
                Paris 
                TX 
                USA 
                7476 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  08:07:32 AM
                        
                      
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                      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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                 Blessed in Colorado 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                7398 Posts
   
                Debbie L. 
                  
                Oregon 
                USA 
                7398 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  08:26:20 AM
                        
                      
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                      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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                 suny58 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                4521 Posts
   
                Dianna 
                Jack 
                Al. 
                USA 
                4521 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  08:28:44 AM
                        
                      
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                      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 | 
                     
                    
                       Edited by - suny58 on Feb 12 2023  1:18:08 PM | 
                     
                    
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                 ddmashayekhi 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                4826 Posts
  
                Dawn 
                Naperville 
                Illinois 
                USA 
                4826 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  09:37:52 AM
                        
                      
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                      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) | 
                     
                    
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                 nndairy 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                3529 Posts
   
                Heather 
                Wapakoneta 
                Ohio 
                USA 
                3529 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  10:58:23 AM
                        
                      
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                      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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                 Wanda Sue 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                1661 Posts
   
                Wanda 
                Murrells Inlet 
                SC 
                USA 
                1661 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 12 2023 :  11:59:33 AM
                        
                      
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                      Dianna I love your flowers!
  A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel. 
  Farm Girl #3677 FGOTM August 2022 | 
                     
                    
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                 windypines 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                4533 Posts
  
                Michele 
                Bruce 
                Wisconsin 
                USA 
                4533 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 13 2023 :  02:41:03 AM
                        
                      
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                      thanks for any and all bee happy thoughts, they need them all.
  Farming in WI
  Michele FGOTM June2019
 
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                 MaryJanesNiece 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                7965 Posts
   
                Krista 
                  
                Utah 
                USA 
                7965 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 13 2023 :  12:50:14 PM
                        
                      
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                      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 | 
                     
                    
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                 Red Tractor Girl 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                6838 Posts
   
                Winnie 
                Gainesville 
                Fl 
                USA 
                6838 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 14 2023 :  11:19:53 AM
                        
                      
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                      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 | 
                     
                    
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                 katmom 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                17447 Posts
  
                Grace 
                WACAL Gal 
                WashCalif. 
                USA 
                17447 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 14 2023 :  1:59:36 PM
                        
                      
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                      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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                 suny58 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                4521 Posts
   
                Dianna 
                Jack 
                Al. 
                USA 
                4521 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 14 2023 :  2:09:51 PM
                        
                      
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                      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 | 
                     
                    
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                 Dreamer42 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                2833 Posts
   
                April 
                Central 
                Oregon 
                USA 
                2833 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Feb 15 2023 :  5:38:22 PM
                        
                      
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                      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 | 
                     
                    
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                 windypines 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                4533 Posts
  
                Michele 
                Bruce 
                Wisconsin 
                USA 
                4533 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Apr 08 2023 :  03:20:40 AM
                        
                      
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                      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 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                2833 Posts
   
                April 
                Central 
                Oregon 
                USA 
                2833 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Apr 08 2023 :  1:04:59 PM
                        
                      
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                      Thank you, Michele, I will try that!
  Dreamer42 Farmgirl Sister #7038 | 
                     
                    
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                 katmom 
                True Blue Farmgirl 
                      
                17447 Posts
  
                Grace 
                WACAL Gal 
                WashCalif. 
                USA 
                17447 Posts  | 
                
                  
                    
                      
                       Posted - Apr 08 2023 :  5:06:04 PM
                        
                      
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                      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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                       Edited by - katmom on Apr 08 2023  5:07:40 PM | 
                     
                    
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Across the Fence:                  all the buzzzzzz   | 
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