This past week we had wind gusts at 60mph+, strong enough to blow a 24 lb paver off the top of the beehive, then of course the insulation and telescoping lid. This is our strongest hive so it was devastating to find. Fortunately the inner cover stayed on and they were in the bottom box with 2 full medium supers on top. I quickly put them back together, adding an additional paver this time and listened with my ear pressed against the hive. To my relief they were still humming and not frozen to death. We have high 60 degree days forecasted this week. I'm eager to see who all comes out for a cleansing flight.

#beekeeping #beekeeper #honeybees

I am working on a rudimentary layout of an apothecary and pollinator garden I'm planning for next spring. I'm choosing plants that I know I enjoy working with when making tinctures, salves, and teas, but also plants that I know will be a good resource for our honey bees and the native pollinators. I'm also choosing plants that will not escape or threaten any of the native flora around us.

On the list so far:
Perennials:
Echinacea
Sage
Thyme
Rosemary
Lavender
Goldenrod
Monarda
Hyssop
Motherwort
Valerian
Skullcap
Marshmallow
Spilanthes
Aster
Red Clover

Annuals:
Chamomile
Calendula
Holy Basil
Sunflower
Buckwheat
Borage

The open areas will be mulched with local wood chips and the fence will be made of T-posts and chicken wire - just enough of a barrier to keep deer from entering.

One really important aspect of this project is to give our honey bees something to forage when other resources are dismal. It will also be a place of beauty we can sit and enjoy observing the pollinators and flowers working together.

#garden #gardening #pollinators #flowers #honeybees #beekeeping #beekeeper #bloomscrolling

Beekeeper loses livelihood after neighbor has 20 beehives removed from h... https://youtu.be/tc3jTCRHedc?si=X-CvFAmqF5nSaPja

#crime #bees #beekeeping #honey #theft #vandalism #propertytheft #tampa #florida #beehives #beekeeper

The iridescent nature of a honey bee wing, seen at 100x.

#beekeeping #beekeeper #hobbymicroscopy

My local #apiarist (#beekeeper) has retired & moved away. ☹️

No more local #honey!

There are others around. Each about 25km’s away. Hmmm.