Spring is Trying to Arrive

Seems like Winter refuses to leave and we are so very anxious to get out in our new yard and tidy up before the Big Wedding that is taking place in almost 2 months!!!!  There are definitely signs of Spring popping up … Robins flitting around and preparing nests, Crocus and Daffodils opening their petals and Warm Sunshine on the front porch.

I have planted some Herb seeds; basil, parsley, rosemary, lemon basil, dill.  Some Peppers; chocolate, jalapeno, mini red, orange & yellow and larger red along with tabasco.  Tomato seeds went under the grow lights just yesterday – Sungold, Sugar cherry, Roma, Italian heirloom, Early girl and Stupice.

I am holding back on planting a bit since I always start way early and this year I have decided to start outdoors “after” the wedding.  We will see how that part of the planning goes!

We spent some time at the home in Southern Illinois and the temperatures have been chilly but Spring is taking a hold down there quite nicely.  The turtles have emerged and line up in their area sunning themselves with the hopes of warmer days ahead.

Although I was unable to move the Bees this trip, they have survived the winter and I was very excited to see Pollen being brought in.  They no doubt have their agenda in full swing for the season ahead!

Spring is upon us and the kid’s Garden Wedding is inching its way closer….shower plans, decorating ideas, excitement, wardrobe decisions, gardening, flowers, weather concerns, rehearsal dinner.  Thinking we may need a vacation after all this …

Wishing you All a Happy Spring!!  And Winter … yes, it is quite Ok to take a nap until next year …. really!

Planting for our Bees

It has been in the News for some time now and although many are still unaware of the dilemma we face … the truth is – Our Bees are Dying.

What we as individuals can do is plant more flowers for the bees.  They need pollen and nectar for food and survival.  It is a simple task for us and if each person plants a few flowers, we can make a difference.  The pesticides, herbicides and GMO seeds still will wreak havoc and continue to kill the bees, but at least we can help some survive.

Plant an extra row or two around your property, start some container plants on your balcony, encourage friends and family to plant or give beautiful flowers as gifts this year!

Below is a list of flowers that I have witnessed my bees foraging for their needed food and survival.  There are many others and each climate zone is unique so grow what works in your area.  The Bees will Thank You!!

Lavender     Sunflowers

Anise Hyssop    Borage

Bee Balm    Wild Asters

Goldenrod    Coneflower

Blanket Flower   Autumn Sedum Joy

Hollyhock

Most vegetables need pollination to produce and this the bees’ job.  They love those pumpkin, squash, cucumber, tomato flowers.  Buckwheat is a good cover crop and a great source of food for the bees.

Clover and Dandelion that many see as weeds are a Huge source of food for the bees!  Let them grow … and if the neighbors comment … tell them it is for our Bees.

Don’t ever spray weed killers or any deadly concoction that will spread and kill the bees.  I use a spray of garlic, cayenne pepper and a few drops of dish soap to ward off damaging bugs in the garden.

Save your seeds for the next season and to gift to friends and family.

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@VintageDeb on Tsu social

Growing Right Along at My Vintage Home

Peonies in Bloom

Apples on my first fruit trees

Radish harvest

Little starter garden

The garden that is currently at My Vintage Home is tiny measuring in at 8’x5′ and has a wire fence around it, so I decided to plant some seeds.  Since we are not living there full-time, smaller is better and much easier to maintain.  I have tried growing larger gardens in two different locations and the weeds take over quickly and quite a job to remove going back and forth.

I planted a few tomatoes, pepper, sunflowers and just this last visit added some seeds from blue corn.  The blue corn is ornamental and really neat to add to decorations so I hope they flourish.  There is another location on the property where I planted some pumpkin pie seeds, radish and a few squash.  The radish took off and I was able to harvest some already.

The apple and pear trees will be a new and exciting learning experience for me.  I did spot several small apples, but have not seen any pears as of yet.  I will say that I did not notice any bees buzzing around.  At the Country Home I have several hives and bees are present at all times … the Vintage Home seemed to be lacking and I am sure the fruit trees will fare much better with a few hives nearby.  The hives I will move in the Fall right before the winter weather sets in when the bees are dormant and the numbers are low.

Back at the Country Home I have been busy this week harvesting and canning Garlic Scapes which are a Spring delight and not easy to find.  Check the local farmers’ markets and be sure to add them to your healthy recipes.

Lost a Bee Swarm Today

Although I witnessed quite an amazing event today with my bees, I am sorry I was not quick enough to respond correctly and lost a swarm.  I thought I was being careful as I watched the bees starting the new season and just last week I added an extra super box since Spring has arrived and the honey flow seemed quite adequate.  We were away for several days and I knew when I returned I needed to check the hive.  I planned the inspection for today.  Now last night I had walked out there and saw something I read about, but didn’t really believe.  I read that if the bees form a U shape they are just about ready to swarm … I saw this and said .. Is that for real?  I should have taken the warning immediately but diddle daddled around and had to make a run to town this morning and upon our return, I was ready to inspect.

Well, the bees were well ahead of me and when I walked out there, there were hundreds in flight.  So I thought well now that must be a first flight for new bees, BUT I was starting to “get it” finally … they were entering into a SWARM.  I ran around like a misguided child not knowing how to proceed.  I got the cooler to capture them with and another hive to put them into.  Of course, the area they settled on was deep in a thicket of thorn bushes so I had to carefully make my way cutting branches as I inched toward them.  I cleared a path and saw the swarm .. I knew if I cut the branch it would fall and they would not be happy!  I decided to set the hive box right in front of them hoping they would all just jump right in.

By this time it was well over 100 degrees in my bee suit and my mind was getting more confused as to how to proceed.  I thought to run inside and check the books I had or research online, but this really wasn’t the time to do that.  I decided to take a look at the hive they came from and opened it up.  The super I had placed last week was nearly full of honey so I ran to get another to place on top of this one.

I went back to see if the swarm had jumped into the hive I had placed there for them and they were GONE!  Poof, gone … in a matter of minutes!!

Shocked and in disbelief I gathered all “my stuff” and decided I needed to sit and cool off.  Looking at the busy bees still going back and forth to the hive, I would never had known there was a swarm, if I had not witnessed it as I had.  My initial feelings of sadness told me not to tell the experience since it would appear that a beekeeper should know better, right?  On second thought, I decided to share my beekeeping blunder in the hopes that someone else might become aware and know what to watch for.  May is prime time for swarms and my simple action of adding one super was not enough precaution to ward off a swarm.  I plan to open the hive tomorrow and get a much closer look at what is transpiring inside … now it is still quite hot and I am wiped out.

This will be our third year keeping bees and I am learning all the time.  I feel fortunate that I was able to witness a swarm in action and I realize things happen for a reason.  We are moving and another hive full of bees is a major item to move, so right now the swarm moving on before I could react, was a good thing.  I may yet do a split though since it is still early in the year …. time will tell!