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Happy New Year update on the bees, lavender bed, greenhouse.
This post details various projects undertaken from late 2024 to early 2025, including inspecting bee hives, preparing them for winter, and addressing soil issues for a lavender bed due to previous incorrect advice from a chemist. The author also highlights significant improvements made to a greenhouse and the equipment installed, along with a personal reflection…
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Shed and Barn Make Over…
In early February, a shed and barn received much-needed upgrades. Linda secured a siding company to do the job, prompting a rush to prepare the service entrance before their arrival. The team worked swiftly, even addressing long-standing issues. The completed work left the owner amazed and thankful for the swift, thorough renovation.
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Community Part 2…
2/3/2024 On December 18th, Brian came over and we built his third hive. It actually went pretty well. It was his third and my sixth, so we had the instructions pretty memorized. And there was no blood until the very end when I got clipped by a drill bit – sorry no picture. Brian is…
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Community…
1/13/2024 Happy New Year thirteen days later. I hope everyone had a great and enjoyable holiday season. When your blog is primarily about bees, it’s hard to find something to write about this time of year. The bees are hopefully safely holed up in their hive, especially today when the overnight low is forecast to…
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Update on the apiary and barn…
Summary: The apiary’s active colony is being monitored without unnecessary disturbances. Final inspection and preparations for winter, including removing the feeder and adding a wool pillow, are planned after the first frost. In the barn, wood replacement due to neglect is ongoing, with additional tasks like structural support and prepping for painting.
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Wiring the frames…
On 10/20/2023, the process of making frames was demonstrated, except for wiring them. Wires are essential for support, regardless of using strips or a full frame of foundation. Although wiring the frame seems simple, challenges like breaking and forgetting to staple occur. Ultimately, about 28 out of 40 frames were successfully wired.
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Frame Day…
On 9/7/2023, frame assembly for the next year began. The process involves placing and gluing pieces in a jig, and then stapling them. Despite the loud air compressor, two videos demonstrate the process. 36 frames were completed, with bottom pieces being the limiting factor, but easy to make.
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Working on frame tops…
September 1, 2023 I decided this would be a good day to work on frame tops. Of all the pieces of a frame the top takes the most amount of work. First the frame needs to be cut to a length of 14 5/16 inches and then to a width of 1 1/2 inches. After…
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Working on frame sides…
The project of building frames, hive boxes, and swarm traps has progressed slowly. With the aim of constructing 60 more frames for 3 additional hives, the process involves cutting and tapering the frame sides. Using scrap wood and a taper jig, the task is underway, yielding imperfect but functional results.
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Plans for the honey harvest…
The author recently attended a Serving Heroes National Conference and visited a container store to purchase equipment for honey harvesting. They acquired a container to hold honey frames and plan to use additional tools like a honey gate and strainer. However, they decided against a centrifugal honey extractor due to budget constraints.