I'm beginning to putter around the yard. Once the snow melts, how awful things look until a bit later in the spring.
Two blueberry bushes were pruned yesterday.
Two weeks ago, the peach and pear trees were pruned.
Apple tree was also looked at but it didn't need much pruning
Next task will be to burn all the debris I'm collecting in little piles around the yard.
Other chores this week include:
Cleaning the greenhouse to get it ready
Planted Mesclun in a hanging pot in the greenhouse
Arugula already planted - this was planted in a pot in the fall and 3 months later, it's only about an inch high. There's just not enough light in the middle of the winter. It's beginning to grow more now that the days are longer.
The bees will be back in town
I realized that it's only a few months before my bees will arrive. I've ordered one Nuc. I will see what I can (or can't) do with the one.
1) Changes this year include managing varroa mites. I will use the method of using drone frames in the hive where the mites like to attach themselves. Then bring in the filled frame, freeze it for a few days, then put it back into the hive and let the bees clean it out and start filling it again. I've read that this is an effective way to minimize the mite population.
2) I will take little to no honey this year. It will be left to the bees.
3) Purchase a screened bottom board and add a mite counting sheet (or whatever it's called) to monitor how large a population is in the hive.
I'm hoping that these changes will make a difference in being able to keep a hive for more than one season.
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