Bee farming

[Chuck52]

Dave,

I figure someone near me keeps bees because I have swarms when the trees flower. The big crab apple sounds like a space ship in the spring. On the other hand, I'm not seeing all that many just out on the flowers scattered around the place. They might be occupied with some major crop or another since there's lots of farm land around here. Don't know what might be blooming now, aside from clover.

Chuck

 

[20 20]

20 20
Any update on your bee project? I thought about this thread yesterday. I was outside surrounded by white and red clover on a nice sunny day and could only see 3 bees. Years ago there would have so many you could hear a constant background buzz.
Dave.

HI Dave I've been busy and have not been on the site a whole lot. Try to check in, but usually don't post nor have time to read new threads.

The bees were doing awsome really took to there new home, then,.,.,., we had typical NY weather. The temp dropped down in the 20's for a few days even had snow. Well thet wiped out over half of them :mur: They didn't have enough comb nor food to keep the whole hive content. Luckily, LONG LIVE THE QUEEN, I did have enough to keep the hive going. I made lots of sugar water and gave them some bee food{pollen}. They have {so far, knock on wood} started to rebuild and seem to bee working like crazy. I would not mow my lawn until the dandelions were done flowering. Now I'm leaving the lawn alone because of the clovers. The sun was out yesterday and the bees were everywhere nice low buzzzzzzz. I'm still a little concerned because of the way this summer is headed, weather wise. When I can get a chance I will try to get some picture of my top bar hive and how they have built their combs. It really is interesting to just sit and watch them. Thanks for asking :thumbsup:

 

[dave1949]

HI Dave I've been busy and have not been on the site a whole lot. Try to check in, but usually don't post nor have time to read new threads.

The bees were doing awsome really took to there new home, then,.,.,., we had typical NY weather. The temp dropped down in the 20's for a few days even had snow. Well thet wiped out over half of them :mur: They didn't have enough comb nor food to keep the whole hive content. Luckily, LONG LIVE THE QUEEN, I did have enough to keep the hive going. I made lots of sugar water and gave them some bee food{pollen}. They have {so far, knock on wood} started to rebuild and seem to bee working like crazy. I would not mow my lawn until the dandelions were done flowering. Now I'm leaving the lawn alone because of the clovers. The sun was out yesterday and the bees were everywhere nice low buzzzzzzz. I'm still a little concerned because of the way this summer is headed, weather wise. When I can get a chance I will try to get some picture of my top bar hive and how they have built their combs. It really is interesting to just sit and watch them. Thanks for asking :thumbsup:

Yup, we didn't have snow, but we had frost three nights in a row after hitting the upper 80's 26* was the coldest night.

Tha doesn't sound too bad for your first time out. so, good on you. Things are looking up for the bees it sounds like. We have a ton of clover in bloom now and it looks to be a bumper blackberry year if we can get the rain to fill out the berries and the temps to sweeten them.
Dave.

 

[dcyrilc]

Yup, we didn't have snow, but we had frost three nights in a row after hitting the upper 80's 26* was the coldest night.

Tha doesn't sound too bad for your first time out. so, good on you. Things are looking up for the bees it sounds like. We have a ton of clover in bloom now and it looks to be a bumper blackberry year if we can get the rain to fill out the berries and the temps to sweeten them.
Dave.

You need 75 degree days for the blackberry to produce necter for the bees. Also, any one bee will only collect one type of necter per trip. At least, with honey bees any way. With other types, this is not true.

 

[dave1949]

You need 75 degree days for the blackberry to produce necter for the bees. Also, any one bee will only collect one type of necter per trip. At least, with honey bees any way. With other types, this is not true.

I don't know how things get pollinated, maybe wind. Sure isn't honey bees lately. There are different little bugs that buzz around, I suppose it all helps. The blackberries are about half done with blossoming, lots of little green berries.

We finally are getting some rain tonight that escaped you somehow Cyril Could get up to 1" - better than nothing. Friday through Monday could be in the mid-80's. Maybe my sweet corn will actually grow.
Dave.

 

[dcyrilc]

I don't know how things get pollinated, maybe wind. Sure isn't honey bees lately. There are different little bugs that buzz around, I suppose it all helps. The blackberries are about half done with blossoming, lots of little green berries.

We finally are getting some rain tonight that escaped you somehow Cyril Could get up to 1" - better than nothing. Friday through Monday could be in the mid-80's. Maybe my sweet corn will actually grow.
Dave.

Trust me...it didn't miss us. We still haven't officially hit 75 yet. Last weekend was the warmest weather we've seen yet this year and it was only 74 Sat & 70 Sun...then back into the low 60's again. Our norm this time of year is 72. We ran 10-15 degrees below normal the entire month of May, and June isn't deviating much from that. A week ago the news was reporting that this is the latest recorded without hitting 75 degrees. Still haven't got there. The two days of warmer weather did help the garden though. Everything grew for about two days, then stopped again.:laughing: My corn doubled in size from 2" to 4" and my radishes doubled their folege (sp?). You don't really notice the corn unless you get down and look, but the redishes...WOW.:thumbsup:

My son watered the garden on Saturday because it was sunny. He came in and asked me if he had watered it enough. I told him that it didn't need watered because everything was drowning with all the rain were getting.:laughing:

PS: have fun on your trip!

 

[20 20]

We are getting so much water{rain} again that it is allready taking it's toll on the gardens. The blackberries do seem to look fairly healthy so far. We had major rain yesterday and the temp doesn't want to go above 60F. From what the weather report said we are suppose to be in for a few nice days/weekend.

 

[dave1949]

PS: have fun on your trip!

Sounds great, where am I going? Maybe I'm having a senior moment here . I am going to Fredonia, KS (90 miles east of Wichita) to visit my brother in August. Picking up my Mom in Ohio on the way. Packing plenty of ear plugs :laughing:
Dave.

 

[Chuck52]

Sounds great, where am I going? Maybe I'm having a senior moment here . I am going to Fredonia, KS (90 miles east of Wichita) to visit my brother in August. Picking up my Mom in Ohio on the way. Packing plenty of ear plugs :laughing:
Dave.

I don't envy you that drive....at least the part from St. Louis and then most of what gets you through Kansas City. Big, ugly billboards line I70. The "adult store" places abound in some areas. I did the reverse drive last year and after we got out of Missery it was pretty pleasant. Lord I miss Tennessee! BTW, right before you cross the Missouri river you'll pass about two miles from my place.

Chuck

 

[dave1949]

I don't envy you that drive....at least the part from St. Louis and then most of what gets you through Kansas City. Big, ugly billboards line I70. The "adult store" places abound in some areas. I did the reverse drive last year and after we got out of Missery it was pretty pleasant. Lord I miss Tennessee! BTW, right before you cross the Missouri river you'll pass about two miles from my place.

Chuck

Tenn. is a beautiful place, I can see how you would miss it.

We might take I44 from St. Louis to Joplin, that would be shorter for the SE corner of KS. My Mom wants to go up in the St Louis Arch. I told her she better be thinking about her West of the Miss. River Bucket List :laughing: She will be 84 this summer.
Dave.