I have been away for a very long time. 2017 was a year of loss and grief with no time for bees. The year was spent caring for my husband Bill as he fought his last good fight with prostate cancer. He died on Dec 5, 2017. You may remember that Bill was always fascinated with honey bees and was constantly creating things to make working with the bees easier...or cooler. He learned as much about the bees as I did and often retained the information better than I did! Now I am here in PEI without his great ideas and support but nevertheless, I have decided that it is time to start having bees again.
May 16
Roger O’Neill of Montague sold me a couple of packages imported from New Zealand! #1 was very strong with brood and capped honey...7 frames and #2 was less strong with only 5 frames. All of Roger’s frames are all plastic foundation. He was very curious about my open frames but was a bit skeptical. He loves bees! Beekeepers are so cool and creative and inventive. He suggested that I screw jar lids on a piece of plywood the size of the hive. Ea ch lid would have a little hole under to give access to the bees. The jars would be screwed into the lids and then an empty box is placed over them and the bees are left to it. The bees will build comb in the jars and when they are full they can be unscrewed and another jar put in. Roger fills the jars with liquid honey and sells them! Not sure that I will try this but it is very innovative.
May 22
#1 was booming when I opened her up so I added a box but #2 was not as strong so I left her alone. The bees are very busy and calm. Their main food is the amazing crop of dandelions we have on the
property. Friends then helped me move the fence from the old bee yard to the new placement to give the bees a wind break from the north and west. The new placement brings the hives closer to the house which will make it easier to reach them...especially in the winter! Here’s to the warm weather and bee success!
#1 hive
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| Dandelion field |
Hives in their new home
