One of the reasons we wanted a larger property was so that Ben would have a good home for his bees. In Maryland they were in a small space in the shade, which was not ideal. Here they are spread out in the sunshine and are thriving. We’ve planted wildflowers, bee balm, and borage for them, and they pollinate my perennials and our veg.
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Honey bee on Forget Me Not (Myosotis sylvatica) in the wildflower bed.
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Can you see the queen?
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In flight to the box.
Bee keeping is not easy—you certainly don’t set up the hives and forget them. The bees need constant monitoring, maintenance, and care. They get sick, they die, they swarm off. One year we lost nearly all of them because of some fickle weather. It’s not unusual to see ladders propped in various trees on the farm. Ben has collected and returned three swarms of his own this year (the neighbors capture these incidents on video), and he also removes swarms from other people’s properties and brings them home.
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Frame for honey bees.
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Inspecting the hives.
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Honey bee with pollen from hardy geranium.
The honey bees are generally very gentle and he often works with them without any gear. But one night he got stung on the lip. He looked like one of the Real Housewives, and I couldn’t look at him without laughing! Often, I am a bee widow, but that’s okay. They are lovely, interesting, and beneficial creatures, and I’m happy to share the farm with them.
It’s so interesting to watch Ben work with the bees, see the swarms & learn more about them!
And I’m sure that you and Finn get a chuckle when he’s on the ladder knocking down the swarms!
Enjoyed the information about bees, and the details about what working with them is like and your generous, knowing attitude towards Ben’s beekeeping.
I hope you will meet everyone soon. Sounds like you are having a great visit with your dad. Enjoy my friend! ❤️
“He looked like one of the Real Housewives” made me bust out laughing! Tell us more about beekeeping!
It was hilarious! And he was in on the laugh. Took a selfie and sent it out with a caption about the housewives of Dauphin County. I will post more. Good stuff coming soon. He extracted honey last night. Best harvest ever.
The pictures an are incredible an the information is very much appreciated.
Keeps me from making mistakes on my little farm
I can’t wait to see an read more as your farm continues to grow an prosper.
There is nothing like freshly harvested chilled to almost frozen perfectly sliced honey comb popped on top of a toasted triscuit dripping with warm brie smotherin that fancy thin sliced ham sprinkled with roasted Sesame an Poppy seed or chopped Macnuts paired with a Merlot on a hot summer day in the gardens.
The flavors are Incredible.
Quite the Treat ~!~
Plus…
There are always plenty of mistakes to gobble up until the perfect combo is achieved.
Aloha Mick! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and comment. We would very likely not be here if it weren’t for you. You got Ben interested in bees, and I know you are an invaluable resource to him.
We very often stop what we are doing and Ben says, “What would Mickey do?” And then we laugh!!
Sending love to you and Rubies. Stay out of trouble!!!
Ang
My little sister Jenny has been raising them with her husband for years and the coast of Rhode Island. This was a really informative blog. Thank you!
Thanks for taking the time to visit Curt! I hope you come back again.