Our original plan for our beekeeping adventures at the farm was to work up to having six hives total, three beds like we have below, with two hives in each. This is in the area next to the garden we call the "bee yard".
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| Bee yard |
But with the loss of one hive this season (the one on the right), we figured we should wait until we can keep two hives alive through a season before we expand our operation, ha. So the other day, we ordered another package of working ladies for next season (wait, that sounds wrong, LOL).
We ordered ours, once again from this place, R Weaver Apiaries. We don't get anything from them in return for this post, this is just our own recommendation for really high quality bees from a company that cares about what they do. They originally came highly recommend by a reader of the blog who gets his bees at the same place (thank you again for everything JM!). This company has been in business since 1888 so they must be doing something right.
We ordered another package of BUCKFAST bees. They are an Italian bee that was first developed by Brother Adam who was in charge of beekeeping at Buckfast Abbey in England. Brother Adam has a fascinating story, if you're interested click HERE to read his Wiki entry. They were developed for their highly desired qualities. Even though we lost a hive, we won't blame that on the variety because the one next to it is thriving.
So anyway, they are ordered. Yay! You have to buy them now for delivery next Spring. Yep, nothing like paying for something now that you won't get for almost six months. Our "pick up date" is April 9, 2016. Fortunately, it's not a long drive from the farm, and when you are driving with 10,000 bees in the back seat, you want to be as close to home as possible.
I have to get a decision made on if this is the spring I do my hives. I want to!!! I am just teetering a bit on if this is the right time to add bees to my life. LOL. Life feels kinda unsettled to me right now.
ReplyDeleteI understand. I find them to be pretty easy to work with. In a way, it's very relaxing because your movements have to be slow and deliberate. It's pretty zen-like. But they are a commitment for sure. If you ever have questions, just let me know. :-)
DeleteI wish we had a couple of hives in our neighborhood just for the pollination!
ReplyDeleteThe pollination is a wonderful benefit, even without the honey.
DeleteI remember my mother kept bees when I was a child :) Your set up looks fantastic. I wonder why one hive didn't survive..
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm kinda proud the way the setup came out. We're not sure about the one hive. It just sort of vanished, some dead bees in the bottom but again, not sure if it was the colony collapse disorder, or if they swarmed or whatever. We'll try again. The other hive is really doing great so at least half of them are happy, ha.
DeleteIf I were to drive with 10,000 bees in the back seat...wait, that would never happen. Somehow, that would never happen. There would have to be another vehicle to transport for me. Maybe I could use a pickup truck with a camper on it...anything.
ReplyDelete"working ladies"...lol Maybe they need to protect their reputation!
Somewhere, I read about putting something up to catch any bees that defected. It was something the whole hive could land in/on but not a trap.
LOL! Too funny! I was a bit nervous but it was all good. I've heard of capturing swarms, either wild swarms or swarms from a hive. We'll see what happens with our "working ladies", HA!!!
DeleteNow you know what will happen, you will just get the new bees settled and the older hive will decide to go forth and multiply (swarm) I hope you plan to have a spare hive on hand :-)
ReplyDeleteHa, that's always a possibility. We'll see what happens. I do have the basics of a spare hive, might not be a bad idea to have a complete spare. Thanks!!!
DeleteSending positive thoughts for your new group of ladies! That is such a beautiful, peaceful setting for your hives.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! For both things!! ha.
DeleteI'm looking forward to hearing about your beekeeping. My grandfather was a bee keeper and organic gardener. I miss him! I hope your new bees work out well for you!
ReplyDelete