What did you do in the garden today?

[Sally PB]

Not a lot. It's only used when winter food supplies, that they put up are running low, and things haven't started making pollen yet. And it depends on the number of colonies, and how active they are. It's not usually a big deal for a backyard keeper.

So for two hives... how many pounds of sugar a year, would you guess?

I just read a book on beekeeping, and the author made it sound like he was buying lots of bags of sugar all the time.

 

[WthrLady]

So for two hives... how many pounds of sugar a year, would you guess?

I just read a book on beekeeping, and the author made it sound like he was buying lots of bags of sugar all the time.

When I had two hives going, I only needed to feed when the bees were active, slowly running out of food, and it was above freezing. All told about Mid March to maybe Mid April. A quart of sugar water per hive about every three days, unless it was really warm, they were really active and flying around. I never went through a whole 5 pound bag for them in the spring. I got close one year, but then the early weeds bloomed and the ivy and local fruit trees, and they cut back on sugar water wants.

 

[WthrLady]

In case anyone is wanting to add something new to their experimental mix ... hot beds

 

[muddy75]

I cleaned up some of the debris from the storms……4 bags, two cans,a a pile of branches
Still a bit more for next week pickup

 

[TJAnonymous]

I was thinking of getting into bees. How often/how much sugar do you have to feed them?

One day a couple of years ago a lady stopped by my place to comment on my garden and how much she loved it. She told me that she raises bees and asked if I would maybe allow her to put a hive out there. I lost her number and she never came by again after Covid. I have easily doubled the amount of flowers, flowering trees, and veggies. I should check around and see if maybe someone is interested in putting a hive out there.

 

[TJAnonymous]

I'm pooped. Put out 3 wagon loads of compost in the garden. Assembled the new raised beds and put them outside. Transplanted my Glencoe raspberry in one of them. We also got a new brace installed in the hoop house. Still have one more to go before it's fully fixed. Supposed to be in the upper 70s tomorrow so maybe DH and I can get it done after work. But my highest priority To-do is tracking down a plumber who can tap into the water line and spin off a new shutoff in its own box. Come hell or high water, I'm putting in an irrigation system this spring if it kills me! I'm DONE watering by hand or running 400 ft of hose to the garden.

 

[Apis mellifera]

So for two hives... how many pounds of sugar a year, would you guess?

I just read a book on beekeeping, and the author made it sound like he was buying lots of bags of sugar all the time.

Most of my hives, none. When I go through hives in the fall I dont always pull all the honey supers. I can balance it out and leave enough on each hive. The only times I feed sugar is when I start new hives or a hive is very light late summer that I didnt manage properly. Some hives will take 10 to 20 lbs or more of sugar if they need it. The hardest part of beekeeping is keeping varroa mites under control. Youre lucky to be in Michigan, Michigan Beekeepers Association is outstanding! Im a member.

 

[karenerwin]

I was thinking of getting into bees. How often/how much sugar do you have to feed them?

You only have to feed them when there aren’t any natural resources available for them. So that depends on where you live. For me in Missouri ( near St.Louis) we typically feed in February /March if they’ve run out or are getting low. A lot of people like to feed early in Spring to help amp up the hive for rapid growth that is coming. People around here also feed going into Fall/Winter to help the hive build up resources so they can make it through the winter.
This is my first year feeding them at this time of year. I was told to use 4lbs of sugar and 1 cup of water. Dump into a gallon ziplock bag. Cut a nickel size hole in the bag and place it hole side down over the frames the bees are on. I think they said that should last a week.
Once natural resources arrive( bloom) the bees will quit eating the sugar slush and go after the natural resources.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Went out to put the ducks in their coop and noticed the moon looks super cool tonight. It has a halo around it but also this weird red ring.

 

[BReeder!]

Went out to put the ducks in their coop and noticed the moon looks super cool tonight. It has a halo around it but also this weird red ring.

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The moon had a rainbow halo last night here thanks to the thin clouds. I wish I got a pic.