Today it is rainy, but not constantly— so off we went to the lottie. Strawbs needed picking, water needed giving in the greenhouse, the broad-beans needed monitoring for blackfly and I wanted to check on pod development. Look how much they have grown. Why just last week they were no taller than the black patches on my trouser legs. I removed more honey frames from the super boxes. These empty honey frames are waiting to be used and the dark ones will be melted. The spuds are growing like mad. Finally after giving the toms water, I inspected some plants. My Bride was convinced that there were no fruits yet, I was sure that there were home, as it is the sign to begin extra feeding. The first one is Mountain Rouge. Have a look: The second foto is the Ox Forehead. Planted on the same day. What a difference in size ! Well, the Ox Forehead is one of the ones for sauce…so is the Mountain Rouge. I may need a BH for the Oxen, if they are this size already. To put the two toms in perspective—the first one is half the size of a pea, the Ox Forehead is twice the size of a pea. Finally, we loaded up four large trugs full of weeds plus two of pruning waste. Six trugs in all. We will get up early tomorrow and take them to the garden waste location. It will all be chipped and composted my the municipality. Good riddance. We will continue the cleaning when the weather improves.
Thank you so much, Daniel. It is small but it is productive. The only thing I actually do is take good care of the soil.
Pacnor— yes, I do have some honey. Did you see that piccy of one of the frames up above? Netty— ach, they’ll come. You always have such good harvests.
Your plants & honeycombs look great! Congrats! I have a question for you.... You pedal to the Lottie, yes? but not always? I am having trouble picturing the two of you on your bikes with 6 trugs of plant waste.
No mate, we do not always bike out. When heavy things or big loads must be taken or brought, then it is time for the horsepower. Also for the movement of several bee boxes at once. Handy thing, auto’s.
Lovely growth you have there! Would be a pity if somebody (no names mentioned) would come there and ... plunder, now, wouldn't it? *chuckle* I guess your soil is good enough to eat, at least for the plants the way they take off.
Just curious what your bees pollinate. My neighbors bees use the red clover fields. They label their honey clove honey.
‘Allo Droopske. Yes, I am installing the electric fences against any would-be plunderers. We have had a reasonable weather combination this spring, it is getting a little too wet now though. Pacnor— my bees pollenate whatever is in season. They begin in feb- march and go on to the end of october. That means garden flowers, fruit trees and vey soon the numerous lime trees that line our streets. The end of the season it is the blooming green manure that takes them into the winter. One can see the different-coloured pollen that they gather which indicates which blooms they have visited. i began planting so-called, bee-friendly flowers that would bloom in a certain sequence throughout the season. I do not want to have to supplement their food stores you see.
