Spruce's honey bees

Yvonne,
bees never mind if the gardens in a bit of a state. They're just grateful that you've got flowers in there, even if they have to rummage a bit,
Jenny

 

Here's a report that might gladden your heart Spruce >

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21277933

 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/hours_to_save_the_bees_rb/?bHoLcab&v=21490

 

Just done it Spruce,
Jenny

 

Went for afternoon tea and couldn't resist this Spruce. You'll find the recipe for the Honey Drizzle cake in Recipes,
Jenny

 

Jenny looks fab. Tea for 1 the after shot would of been a few crumbs on the side plate , Jens you could put the recipe on here if you want ?

I have been to check the hives today , no activity outside (both) its too cold , but I took the roof off very gently and had a quick look through the hole on the crown board so as far as I could see lots of bees walking about very slowly, hefted again weight (honey stores) is fine so its all looking good , a warm week would be good as the gorse is coming into flower where they are.

Not long to go I bet they are thinking that as well ......

Mouse guards will be taken off in a week or two , other wise the small holes can knock the pollen off there legs when they are returning home , and we dont want that as its packed with essential foods for the whole colony.

Spruce

 

I love the way your fondness for your bees comes over in your post Spruce. Thank you for giving us an update , good to hear that all is well ,
Jenny
ps - Recipe is on the Recipes thread Spruce - only a mouse or two clicks away. shouldn't have used the M word
Jenny

 

Ingredients:
6oz runny honey, 3oz light soft brown sugar, 5oz butter, 7oz Self raising flour, 2 eggs - beaten, 1 teaspoon of baking powder,1 tablespoon of water.
Topping 2oz icing sugar and 1 tablespoon runny honey.
Oven 170c . Butter and line a 7" cake tin or a 10" x 7" rectangular "brownie" tin.
************************
Measure honey,butter and sugar into a large saucepan Add 1 tablespoon of water and heat gently until all contents dissolved. Remove from heat, cool a little then add two beaten eggs and the flour mixed with the baking powder. Stir until smooth and then pour into baking tin. Bake 30 minutes or until springy on top and shrinking slighty. Cool a little, then turn onto a rack. Mix topping and spread over the cake.

It stores well if wrapped in foil and is better the day after baking.​

Safe & sound on here ta Jens ​

Spruce ​

 

Hi Spruce,
I really really love bees! I'm also trying to design my garden around their needs but won't be able to keep them (I'd love to though!).

If you picked your top 3 plants that would encourage bees into the garden, what would these top 3 plants be?

Thanks Spruce.

 

Hi Fern

That's a really good question and I have given you the top 3 over the year and if you made up your garden of just the list I gave you it would look really good for you and best of all the bees and other insects including butterflies and moths .

I would probably say in my area where my bees are kept spring flowering plants as they have more than enough late flowering plants ie summer going into Autumn but where they are they have it all, to quote Jenny on one of my early posts it like Park Lane for my bees .

Single flowers are best , no doubles. and a good choice of spring bulbs helps if we have any warm days to help them get off to a good start.

Top 3 for spring

1. Apple trees (any variety)
2. Pussy willow (really good for pollen)
3. Ribes aka flowering currant

Top 3 for late spring/ early summer

1. Cotoneaster
2. Foxglove
3. Forget me not

Top 3 Summer

1.Sunflower
2.Verbena
3.Thyme

Top 3 for Autumn

1. Asters
2. Sedum
3. Ivy that flowers (dont over prune)



Spruce

 

Hi Spruce

Thanks for the list - it's given me plenty to think about. There are quite a few of my favourites there anyway and it's good to know that they are valuable for bees. I just need to buy them - any excuse to shop!

 

Thanks Fern

if everyone just kept a metre square in the lawn un-cut for them, imagine all the xtra food plants they would have it would soon add up if we all did even even if it was just clover

Spruce

 

I notice they also love papavar somniferum(poppy) seeds are cheap,flowers are pretty and they look great scattered around the garden

 

Yes that would really help them and when you think about it, it's only a small portion of the size of most gardens so it's do-able. It's so nice to see them at work too.

 

I've got some papaver rhoeas to try. I was going to sow them outside when the weather is better. Hopefully the bees will like them too.