Thistle Hill Apiary and Gardens

Blooming at Thistle Hill this week

2009-07-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

Mustard
Sumac
Anise Hyssop is just coming out
Catmint
Borage has started!
White sweet clover
White clover
Milkweed
Buttercups
Brown-eyed Susans

Sumac

2009-07-01T18:58:00.000-07:00

The bees are all over the staghorn sumac as its flowers near their end.

Milkweed

2009-07-01T18:57:00.001-07:00

Honeybees love milkweed. I got this shot this afternoon on a walk at Thistle Hill.

White Clover is Blooming

2009-06-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

June 22-28, 2009 - National Pollinator Week

2009-06-24T13:31:00.001-07:00

Do something for pollinators this week!

In New York City, they had a Beekeepers' Ball to raise awareness and kick off a push-back at local laws prohibiting beekeeping in New York. (Many large cities permit beekeeping.)

We're already starting to plan our own Vermont Beekeepers' Ball!

Top Bar Hive Report

2009-06-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

Opened up the new, small top bar hive in which I hived a sizeable swarm last Wednesday, 6 days ago. They've started making their beautiful new white comb. Photos soon. This tbh is a little small. I'm not sure what I'll do when they outgrow it.

White Clover

2009-06-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

The white clover season is going strong. We're out here in western NY state for a few days, south of Rochester. Interesting to see what is blooming here. They have a lot of yellow sweet clover, a good bee plant. I'm seeing lots of bees on white clover. The sumac is about out. I have this theory that that's the next big honey plant in the Champlain Valley. Can't wait to get home Friday and see if the bees are on it.

Yet another swarm!

2009-06-17T16:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I discovered another swarm on the fence here near the bee yard. I successfully hived it in the new top bar hive that Bob built for me and delivered 2 days ago! Take a look.

Thistle Hill Swarm Catching #3

Swarm at Thistle Hill

2009-06-13T06:29:00.001-07:00

Swarm at Thistle Hill

One way to help the bees

2009-06-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

What can I as a member of the public do to help honey bees?

The best action you can take to benefit honey bees is to not use pesticides indiscriminately, especially not to use pesticides at mid-day when honey bees are most likely to be out foraging for nectar.

In addition, you can plant and encourage the planting of good nectar sources such as red clover, foxglove, bee balm, and joe-pye weed. For more information, see www.nappc.org.]
The above is quoted from the United States Agricultural Research Service at http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=15572

Great Pollinator gardening site

2009-06-12T08:42:00.001-07:00

Gardening for Wildlife - Animals - Bees and Other Pollinators | Wild About Gardening

Shared via AddThis

Swarm News

2009-06-12T03:01:00.000-07:00

Last night about 5:45 I was sitting at the dining table with friends when I noticed that a branch on the birch tree didn't look quite right. Sure enough, there was a good-sized bee swarm on a branch about 12 feet above the ground. Doesn't sound very high but it was.

If you click the picture below you will connect with a slide show of the swarm collecting.

But...

2009-06-04T10:19:00.000-07:00

Isn't this just too cute?

Feasting on black raspberries (thimbleberries)

2009-06-04T10:18:00.001-07:00

Chives are a favorite...

2009-06-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

Blackberries are out...

2009-06-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

What's blooming this week

2009-06-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

Blackberries
Black raspberries
Buttercups
Mustard
Dandelions (a few still left)

Blackberry Buds

2009-06-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

Have you ever smelled blackberry blossoms just before they open? They give off the most wonderful spicy, dusky aroma that is really quite alluring. Try it. The blossoms are opening in many areas and you can still experience this.

Dandelions are over

2009-06-01T04:14:00.000-07:00

Below we see a bee on one of the last dandelion flowers.

Bee Guardian Program

2009-05-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

I just read about this very interesting program, and am going to look into bringing this to Vermont.

Apple blossoms are out

2009-05-14T11:07:00.001-07:00

....Along with pears and dandelions!

Willow Bloom

2009-05-08T18:40:00.001-07:00

The willows are blooming and the bees are bringing in lots of pollen.

I've been fortunate: all 4 of my hives survived the winter. They're working hard. I've been doing some spring management today and will do more tomorrow.

The bees are working the ground ivy in my yard. Pear trees are in bloom and across town we looked up into the sweet white blossoms and watched the honeybees and bumblebees feasting.

The spearmint, anise hyssop, sweet marjoram, and melissa are all up and growing by leaps and bounds. Dwarf catmint is about to flower.

Red Maple

2009-04-18T19:07:00.000-07:00

The red maples are looking really beautiful right now.

Pollen!

2009-04-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

The bees have been bringing in pale yellow pollen. The pussy willows are in bloom here in central Vermont. The willows and red maples are about to pop.

We are thankful that the bees have made it through another northern winter.

February Thaw

2009-02-08T16:06:00.000-08:00

When it's 40 degrees on a February Day
The honeybees come out to play.