Toddy - I found that video I was telling you about - a skep with a super - worth a look if the subject interests you
[video]http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/102222001[/video]
[video]http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/102222001[/video]
You guys are always two steps ahead of me
I'm seriously tempted by keeping bees in the wood. I may entice a local beekeeper in with a promise of a superb location in return for honey, but seeing the enjoyment folks get from it makes me want to do it myself.
We checked with our few neighbours and they are all cool with it (they all want to get hands on with the hives). We do carry insurance of course just in case. Ours are increasing like crazy now - about 1,500 new bees a day! Got the first "supers" on for honey so I hope they are drawing those out ready for the main nectar flow. I do look at my neighbours and even the plants in a totally different way now - one of my neighbours has a pond surrounded by lesser celandine. The bees love it - nice drink then onto the celandine. The Celandine is a nice "after crocus" open flower that the bees seem to like - going to nick some off her and plant it in my wooded area!
If you want some when I gather them, let me know ?
If you want the "cooks tour" of a hive Steve, I'd be delighted to show you over mine - they aren't so very far away for you to visit one day soon. I can show you over this hives, bee types, equipment and so forth if it would interest you?
Thanks Mary - who would want to get rid of Heartsease though? We are dividing our clumps to encourage them under the hedges. Super wee things