6/10/2025
First things first. If you have recently visited this blog and saw a page about selling sunglasses that seemed out of place, I wasn’t hacked. Unless, of course, you count me hacking myself. I was experimenting with adding an online store and didn’t realize everything was affected. Fortunately, I was able to restore to a “normal” point in time.
So, back to today’s update. Lots of things have happened and I’m sure a few things won’t get mentioned, but I’ll do my best
The Bees
I think the bees are enjoying, or maybe thriving is a better word, on this amazing Spring weather. I know people are tired of the rain, but this is the first real Spring we have had in a very long time.
Here are some pictures from April.
Lots of bees. I just realized that I didn’t get any pictures of the third hive.
And a video that has all three hives.
I could, and have, watch them all day long.
We didn’t install a swarm trap until about three weeks ago. I spent quite a bit of time looking over my friend’s property and found a spot that had everything a swarm needs: food source, water, and a clear pathway. There was a clover field, a pond, and an open flyway around the field. The trap started getting checked out two days later.
We brought the trap home last night and installed the bees this morning.
Hanging up a replacement trap
We did hang another trap up last night hoping for a repeat performance.
It took a bit of time and ingenuity to get the trap level.
Installing the bees
We got up early this morning to move the bees. The temperature was in the mid-50s, so I was hoping they would be docile.
Linda was able to get a few pictures and some video.
The video shows most of the process.
Despite appearances, the bees weren’t very aggressive. There were quite a few on me, but only a few attempted to sting me. They settled down in about an hour. I hope they stay around.
After we finished with the bees we found the milkweed in bloom.
The Lavender Bed
The lavender bed is doing outstanding! Early this Spring, we had a new place plowed up for an expansion. Of course, when you double the space, you quadruple the work for the first year.
This year, we started with about 50 plants. So far, we have planted another 50 or so, with room for 40 additional plants. We purchased 18 from various vendors and started the rest from seed.
Growing lavender from seed has its challenges. The seeds require a “winter” experience, and after that, nearly perfect soil and environmental conditions. That means 70°F soil and 50 – 80°F for air temperature. Even with those conditions, you may have poor germination rates. That said, it is satisfying to watch it grow.
Lavender bed pics
Butterflies on the lavender video
Last Sunday, we had our first harvesting event. Friends of my Granddaughter decided to have a surprise birthday party for her here. I think the guise they used was cutting lavender for drying. Whatever it was, it worked, and she was truly surprised.
After the party, they did harvest some lavender to take home and dry. Beforehand, we had purchased some small clippers and baskets for them to put the cuttings in. I think they had fun.
The Greenhouse
Having a greenhouse is like having a full-time job, only with no pay or benefits — except, of course, for the plants. It can be very tiring at times. I have lost track of how many plants we’ve started, re-potted, and sold. Yes sold.
Linda placed an ad on Facebook Marketplace, as well as a sign by the road, and we have had a good response. Right now, we are preparing for fall by planting Chrysanthemums, Rudbeckia, Decorative Kale, Daisies, and a few other varieties.
A few recent greenhouse photos.
The New Waterline!
Twenty-five years or so ago, when some remodeling was taking place at the house, both the electrical and waterline to the barn were broken. We had since repaired the electrical but had not gotten the waterline repaired.
A plumber friend of ours said we could fix it, but since he is very good at his job, we would have to wait for both his time and dry weather. We planned the job out using various routes for the pipe, but I didn’t like any of them. It finally occurred to me to tap into the water line that supplies the house. The run of pipe would be much longer, but no flower beds would be destroyed.
When we opened the greenhouse, water was brought down in gallon buckets. As plants grow, more water is needed, so an old 5-gallon water bucket was used. That got old real fast.
Then the new water line was installed, and life became easier.
Closing up
I think that is it for the update. I’ll try not to wait so long next time.
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