Animals
- Casualties Of Winter
I don't have to tell any of you...This was the HARDEST winter ever...of my life...ever! Now, we've had winters with more snow.We've had winters just as cold.But we have never had a winter with this much snow and ice and this much cold,that...
- Buzzing Along.....
It has been quite some time since I have talked about our bees.Yes, we still have bees....but, sadly, only one hive at the present time. Over the past two years we have suffered massive losses.Our eight original hives have suffered gravely. Colony collapse...
- To Bee Or Not To Bee
Whew! Internet connection problems almost made it so that I would NOT BEE today!! Sorry so late with the posting. The bugs are all worked out. Now on to the REAL bugs!.....Bees, that is Yesterday's temperate weather gave Hubbs...
- Beekeeping Basics
Yesterday was another sunny day with temperatures in the 60's. The rain held off (I think today may be the day, though). I took advantage of the wonderful weather, donned my bee suit, and headed out to feed the bees. Earlier this week I mixed...
- Winterizing Bee Hives
It's that time of year...time to put certain parts of the farm to bed for the winter. Each autumn around this time....before the winds turn too cold, we do a final inspection of our hives and get them winterized. Yesterday I had a bit of help....my...
Animals
Winterizing Hives
We've had a week of unseasonably warm temperatures.
An occasional frigid night reminds us, though,
that winter is just around the corner.
And this reminder means that time is running out for
finishing Autumn's chore list.
The last of the extra chores on Autumn's list
was to winterize the beehives.
My daughter Jenn and I worked this week
to get all of our precious little pollinators
tucked in for the winter.
Not everyone covers their hives for the winter.
I do,
because I always have,
and for the most part
my bees seem to overwinter quite well.
I wrap each hive with a layer of tar paper
(roofing paper) to keep out the harsh winter winds.
Food is the most important component of overwintering.
If the bees have enough food,
they will have enough energy to keep warm.
I allow for a good store of honey when harvesting...
that is, I leave plenty behind for their consumption.
I augment their honey supply with hive-top feeders filled
with sugar water.
 |
| Jenn, adding sugar water. |
Before the weather gets terribly cold,
they have a source of sugar water available....
saving their precious honey for colder temperatures,
when venturing up to the sugar feeder is more dangerous.
I am happy to report that we suffered no stings this week!
All I can say is this...
If you are planning to try beekeeping,
these suits are essential!
- Casualties Of Winter
I don't have to tell any of you...This was the HARDEST winter ever...of my life...ever! Now, we've had winters with more snow.We've had winters just as cold.But we have never had a winter with this much snow and ice and this much cold,that...
- Buzzing Along.....
It has been quite some time since I have talked about our bees.Yes, we still have bees....but, sadly, only one hive at the present time. Over the past two years we have suffered massive losses.Our eight original hives have suffered gravely. Colony collapse...
- To Bee Or Not To Bee
Whew! Internet connection problems almost made it so that I would NOT BEE today!! Sorry so late with the posting. The bugs are all worked out. Now on to the REAL bugs!.....Bees, that is Yesterday's temperate weather gave Hubbs...
- Beekeeping Basics
Yesterday was another sunny day with temperatures in the 60's. The rain held off (I think today may be the day, though). I took advantage of the wonderful weather, donned my bee suit, and headed out to feed the bees. Earlier this week I mixed...
- Winterizing Bee Hives
It's that time of year...time to put certain parts of the farm to bed for the winter. Each autumn around this time....before the winds turn too cold, we do a final inspection of our hives and get them winterized. Yesterday I had a bit of help....my...