Yesterday, March 16th, I went into the greenhouse to finish cleaning up my bee supplies and to move the hives outside to their spot in the yard. Yes, I'm getting ready for the bees to arrive next month. And getting ready to plant seeds in the greenhouse so I needed the room.
On a table, at the end of my mission, I saw a bee thrashing about. I think I must have knocked her from wherever she was living onto the table. So I placed her on a frame that I had just cleaned off, and added another frame over her. She was the only one I saw but it was a welcome sight to see that one of my bees survived the winter! Not that she'll do anything until there's a queen and you can't make a queen with one bee so I just hope she survives until the other bees arrive.
It makes me wonder if I should winter my bees in the greenhouse. It has a dutch door so I could keep that door open so that the bees can get out whenever they want. Otherwise they would be protected from the cold on all four sides...better protection than they get outside. I had asked about that once and was told the fluctuation of temperature would be an issue (probably due to the condensation within the hive). I will do some research to see if other beekeepers keep bees in a greenhouse through the winter.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
mid March 2014 - doesn't feel much like spring yet
It's tough to write about beekeeping during these cold months. I am supposed to get my first package of bees in another 6 weeks and I sure hope it is warm enough by then. That first package is a 3 pound one.
The next bees to come will be a nuc that will be bees and brood and a queen on 5 frames.
These two packages will go into two separate hives that I have ready to go and I will do my very best to keep them alive and thriving this season...and throughout next winter.
Today, it's 40 degrees. I suppose it's melting some of the snow, but not fast enough for me. I am ready for daffodils and crocuses and hyacinths and tulips...to be followed by forsythia and then lilacs, and all the other flowering spring shrubs.
I was needing some flowers in the house so picked up a few tulips in a pot that I'm enjoying now and will plant later in hopes that they'll bloom for me next spring.
Meanwhile, I grew some basil that I'm trying to keep alive until I can plant it outside at the end of May. But the aphids have found it and I'm at war with them at the moment, picking them or washing them off almost daily. Today I threw out one of the plants...it was too far gone. But I have another 3 that are still doing good and will be watching them closely.
I'm anxious to see how the blueberry bushes do this year. They were large bushes that came from next door and last year, they did pretty well even though they were shocked from the move and replanting.
I also planted Apple, pear, cherry and peach trees that will hopefully at least bloom this year and maybe even provide fruit. The peach tree gave me some peaches last year but that is a year older than the others. Time will tell. Half the fun of gardening is seeing what the season brings!
Happy gardening!
The next bees to come will be a nuc that will be bees and brood and a queen on 5 frames.
These two packages will go into two separate hives that I have ready to go and I will do my very best to keep them alive and thriving this season...and throughout next winter.
Today, it's 40 degrees. I suppose it's melting some of the snow, but not fast enough for me. I am ready for daffodils and crocuses and hyacinths and tulips...to be followed by forsythia and then lilacs, and all the other flowering spring shrubs.
I was needing some flowers in the house so picked up a few tulips in a pot that I'm enjoying now and will plant later in hopes that they'll bloom for me next spring.
Meanwhile, I grew some basil that I'm trying to keep alive until I can plant it outside at the end of May. But the aphids have found it and I'm at war with them at the moment, picking them or washing them off almost daily. Today I threw out one of the plants...it was too far gone. But I have another 3 that are still doing good and will be watching them closely.
I'm anxious to see how the blueberry bushes do this year. They were large bushes that came from next door and last year, they did pretty well even though they were shocked from the move and replanting.
I also planted Apple, pear, cherry and peach trees that will hopefully at least bloom this year and maybe even provide fruit. The peach tree gave me some peaches last year but that is a year older than the others. Time will tell. Half the fun of gardening is seeing what the season brings!
Happy gardening!
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Getting ready for spring
It's hard to believe it's been almost a month since my last posting. I've pretty much been dealing with splitting wood, stacking wood, moving wood from one place to the other, loading wood into the masonry heater and building fires. That's my life this winter :).
But there have been a few sunny days here and there where I've gone into the greenhouse where I'm storing my supers and deeps, many of which had dead bees embedding in the comb. So I've been removing the dead bees, and cleaning the propolis off the sides of the frames and hives...all this to get ready for spring. By the way, after picking out bees with tweezers, I read that you don't need to. The bees will do all this cleaning for me. But there were so many bees, that it seems like it would distract them from gathering pollen and making brood so I'm going to finish the job for them this year.
I had also ordered some new frames that need to be assembled; and new super and deep which are now primed and will be painted within the next few days. I have some turquoise paint that I'll use this time if it's still good. I'm trying to get rid of some old paint and this will use up just a little bit of it.
Along with getting ready for the bees coming this spring, I have also started some plants that need 8-12 weeks before going outside. I will start more flowers and vegetables (and herbs) later on as well as buy some. I do like to use the greenhouse for this but need to wait until later since it's not heated. I do have a propane heater in there but haven't hooked it up since moving to Vermont. It's too expensive. I would love to try solar panels for the greenhouse but for now, I will use it as it is.
One other item I want to do this winter is to make cedar pillows to add to the hives in the fall so that I don't lose my hives next winter. I will need to make 4 of them. One for each of the hive and one spare for each hive so that I can swap them out as they get wet. This should take care of any moisture problem in the hive.
Now just hurry up and come, spring! I'm more than ready!
But there have been a few sunny days here and there where I've gone into the greenhouse where I'm storing my supers and deeps, many of which had dead bees embedding in the comb. So I've been removing the dead bees, and cleaning the propolis off the sides of the frames and hives...all this to get ready for spring. By the way, after picking out bees with tweezers, I read that you don't need to. The bees will do all this cleaning for me. But there were so many bees, that it seems like it would distract them from gathering pollen and making brood so I'm going to finish the job for them this year.
I had also ordered some new frames that need to be assembled; and new super and deep which are now primed and will be painted within the next few days. I have some turquoise paint that I'll use this time if it's still good. I'm trying to get rid of some old paint and this will use up just a little bit of it.
Along with getting ready for the bees coming this spring, I have also started some plants that need 8-12 weeks before going outside. I will start more flowers and vegetables (and herbs) later on as well as buy some. I do like to use the greenhouse for this but need to wait until later since it's not heated. I do have a propane heater in there but haven't hooked it up since moving to Vermont. It's too expensive. I would love to try solar panels for the greenhouse but for now, I will use it as it is.
One other item I want to do this winter is to make cedar pillows to add to the hives in the fall so that I don't lose my hives next winter. I will need to make 4 of them. One for each of the hive and one spare for each hive so that I can swap them out as they get wet. This should take care of any moisture problem in the hive.
Now just hurry up and come, spring! I'm more than ready!
Friday, January 17, 2014
Beekeeping plan for 2014-2015
I've been lamenting the loss of my bees and looking back to see what I did wrong. And I am also putting a plan together for next season.
Cleaning out dead bees
I went into the hive yesterday to dismantle it and clean it out. I was so sad to see the number of dead bees. I really think the moisture got to them. I never want to see this again so I will make every effort to not make the same mistake again. I will use this time to clean out the hive, fix any foundation issues and get them ready for spring. And I will begin to work on my plans for next season. But it's pretty sad to look out and not see my hive in place.
What I did wrong
The bees were ok until late December. So what happened?
- I didn't change out the mouse guard at the entrance of the hive. I should have put back the wood entrance with only one small hole in use during the winter months. The mouse guard has holes across the entire entrance so it let in too much cold air. The entrance reducer has a few sizes of openings and for winter, you'd use the smallest one.
- I have no other ventilation hole up at the top of the hive. Many people recommending a 1-inch hole near the top so bees can go in and out as well as provide ventilation
- Was the top cover tipped back so that any moisture accumulation wouldn't drip on the bees? I think this is what killed my bees!!
- Did I leave them enough food for the winter? I don't think I did but I was feeding them with fondant so I didn't starve them.
New bees coming for 2014
First let me say that this is not a way to get cheap honey! It becomes expensive when you lose your bees.
I have bought a 3 pound package of bees that I will put into one hive..that cost $100
I also bought a nuc which is 5 frames of bees, honey and brood for $150
I'll get both in late April or early May and I'll be back in business. Both will have queens so I will be in a good position to just start over. But needing to buy bees again this year was not part of my plan.
Wintering over bee hive plan for 2014-2015
After watching various video's and reading about this subject, I will try a different approach next winter.
Cleaning out dead bees
I went into the hive yesterday to dismantle it and clean it out. I was so sad to see the number of dead bees. I really think the moisture got to them. I never want to see this again so I will make every effort to not make the same mistake again. I will use this time to clean out the hive, fix any foundation issues and get them ready for spring. And I will begin to work on my plans for next season. But it's pretty sad to look out and not see my hive in place.
What I did wrong
The bees were ok until late December. So what happened?
- I didn't change out the mouse guard at the entrance of the hive. I should have put back the wood entrance with only one small hole in use during the winter months. The mouse guard has holes across the entire entrance so it let in too much cold air. The entrance reducer has a few sizes of openings and for winter, you'd use the smallest one.
 |
| Mouse Guard |
 |
| Entrance reducer |
- I have no other ventilation hole up at the top of the hive. Many people recommending a 1-inch hole near the top so bees can go in and out as well as provide ventilation
- Was the top cover tipped back so that any moisture accumulation wouldn't drip on the bees? I think this is what killed my bees!!
- Did I leave them enough food for the winter? I don't think I did but I was feeding them with fondant so I didn't starve them.
New bees coming for 2014
First let me say that this is not a way to get cheap honey! It becomes expensive when you lose your bees.
I have bought a 3 pound package of bees that I will put into one hive..that cost $100
I also bought a nuc which is 5 frames of bees, honey and brood for $150
I'll get both in late April or early May and I'll be back in business. Both will have queens so I will be in a good position to just start over. But needing to buy bees again this year was not part of my plan.
Wintering over bee hive plan for 2014-2015
After watching various video's and reading about this subject, I will try a different approach next winter.
- Leave more honey behind for the bees
- Continue to feed them
- Add a layer of insulation between the outside of the hive and the roofing paper. I have some thin roofing insulation that has bumps in it for airflow so I will staple that to the hive before I surround it with roofing paper.
- To the top of the hive, I will add a super that is empty. Then I will pack it with cedar bedding that's been packed into a pillow. That pillow will soak up any moisture in the hive. After 3 weeks or so, replace the wet pillow with a dry one...just bring in the wet pillow to dry and reuse it next time.
- Then the top cover goes on
- Under the super, between the deep hive and the super, add a piece of screen so that the bees stay below.
- Make sure the entrance reducer is set to its smallest opening
Monday, January 13, 2014
A sad day indeed
My bees have all died. As regular readers know, I checked the bees and added fondant on 12/19/13 and I saw and heard bees inside the hive. At that time, I did clean a lot of bees that had died from the bottom of the hive, but that's expected.
Today I wanted to see how they were doing with the fondant and to give them more, if needed. But no sign of any live bee and no humming at all from inside.
I think that, with the major cold weather we've had this season, it's just too much for them. I need to figure out how to even better protect them next year. I know that my bee instructor fixed up an insulated covering using trash bags and stuffing them with some insulating material and I may try that instead of the roofing paper next year. It seems it would protect them better.
This spring I have two different bee packages ordered to replace these...and my intent is to add a new hive this year to expand my operation. I'm sad that I must start all over but this, I understand, is common here with our cold winters.
I have ordered one Italian package of bees and the other one is Russian bees. I would think that the Russian bees might do better in the cold but I'll need to research that and that may determine what I order in future years.
Today I wanted to see how they were doing with the fondant and to give them more, if needed. But no sign of any live bee and no humming at all from inside.
I think that, with the major cold weather we've had this season, it's just too much for them. I need to figure out how to even better protect them next year. I know that my bee instructor fixed up an insulated covering using trash bags and stuffing them with some insulating material and I may try that instead of the roofing paper next year. It seems it would protect them better.
This spring I have two different bee packages ordered to replace these...and my intent is to add a new hive this year to expand my operation. I'm sad that I must start all over but this, I understand, is common here with our cold winters.
I have ordered one Italian package of bees and the other one is Russian bees. I would think that the Russian bees might do better in the cold but I'll need to research that and that may determine what I order in future years.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
The bees have been fed
Today it was warm enough...sort of...to get into the hive just to add some fondant. I'm glad I did because it was all gone!
While I was there, I cleaned out the bottom of the hive of dead bees and I think there were about two cups of dead bees. I was pretty worried about that but when I opened the hive I saw many bees and the humming was loud. Yeah! There are still bees in there surviving. I just hope the rest of the winter...the one that hasn't officially started you understand...is less cold than the last month!
I do hope that we have a January thaw so that I can replenish the fondant then so I don't starve these girls and can go into the spring with a somewhat reduced but healthy hive.
While I was there, I cleaned out the bottom of the hive of dead bees and I think there were about two cups of dead bees. I was pretty worried about that but when I opened the hive I saw many bees and the humming was loud. Yeah! There are still bees in there surviving. I just hope the rest of the winter...the one that hasn't officially started you understand...is less cold than the last month!
I do hope that we have a January thaw so that I can replenish the fondant then so I don't starve these girls and can go into the spring with a somewhat reduced but healthy hive.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Should I or shouldn't I open the hive to check on bees in frigid weather
It's been so cold the I'm worried about my bees freezing...or starving. This morning I also worried about smothering because we got about 14 inches of snow last night and from my living room window, it looked like the front entrance was covered with snow. So I rushed out and began shoveling.
Once I got near the hive, I saw that the snow hadn't reached the entrance because the plywood "roof" overhangs enough to provide a little shelter from the rain...and snow too I guess. And I saw a few dead bees at the entrance which told me I still have bees in there. Seeing some dead outside is normal I've learned. Seems like they could easily freeze just leaving the hive to go to the bathroom.
I have resisted opening the hive even to take a look because I'm afraid that I'll kill them by making them freeze. I do want to replenish their fondant though because I don't want them to starve if there's not enough store of honey in the bottom deep hive. Later this week, we are supposed to have a balmy 40 degree day and that's the day I'll open the hive and add fondant. Who knows when I'll get another opportunity? It's been a cold late fall...right...it's not even winter yet!
What I'll do with the fondant is scoop some out and put it on a paper plate with a small hole at the bottom. The fondant has the consistency of taffy so it'll stay in place. Then the plate will be placed on top of the top hive, under the cover and the insulation added under it. I'll do this very fast to minimize the cold air going into the hive.
I sort of hate to remove the snow at the top of the "roof" because it provides extra insulation. In fact, I like having the snow around it for the same reason. But something tells me there will be plenty of snow to replace what I brush off from the top.
Once I got near the hive, I saw that the snow hadn't reached the entrance because the plywood "roof" overhangs enough to provide a little shelter from the rain...and snow too I guess. And I saw a few dead bees at the entrance which told me I still have bees in there. Seeing some dead outside is normal I've learned. Seems like they could easily freeze just leaving the hive to go to the bathroom.
I have resisted opening the hive even to take a look because I'm afraid that I'll kill them by making them freeze. I do want to replenish their fondant though because I don't want them to starve if there's not enough store of honey in the bottom deep hive. Later this week, we are supposed to have a balmy 40 degree day and that's the day I'll open the hive and add fondant. Who knows when I'll get another opportunity? It's been a cold late fall...right...it's not even winter yet!
What I'll do with the fondant is scoop some out and put it on a paper plate with a small hole at the bottom. The fondant has the consistency of taffy so it'll stay in place. Then the plate will be placed on top of the top hive, under the cover and the insulation added under it. I'll do this very fast to minimize the cold air going into the hive.
I sort of hate to remove the snow at the top of the "roof" because it provides extra insulation. In fact, I like having the snow around it for the same reason. But something tells me there will be plenty of snow to replace what I brush off from the top.
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