What did you do in the garden today?

[Sally PB]

However, the whole reason I started down this path is because the mites are becoming resistant to the current treatments. That's why I was wondering about a natural occurring bacteria because it's harder to build a resistance.

Since beekeeping is a big business (as well as a hobby -- like chickens!), anything that helps kill varroa mites is worth looking at, as long as it doesn't also kill the bees.

If anything that works is found, believe me, the news will get around.

There are strategies to lessen mite loads in hives that are chemical free too. Some people use "drone frames" to encourage the bees to make a lot of drone brood in one place. Drones take the longest to emerge from a cell, so mites sometimes congregate in them. Get a frame of drone brood, pull it, and kill the developing capped brood and any mites in those cells. Drone cells look different from worker or queen cells, so it's obvious to the beekeeper if the bees made drone brood.

Maybe I should explain that drones -- males -- do NONE of the work in the hive. Their sole reason for being is to go out and mate with a queen on her mating flight. After which they die. In fact, in the fall, the workers will throw them out of the hive, because they have no use for males over the winter. So using them as mite bait is a human idea, and it can reduce the mite numbers in the hive. Sorry drones.

 

[Nym]

Got this picture and am really happy with it so thought I would share View attachment 4195156

I hope you enter it in one the comps - those greens are so moody and gorgeous! Well done you, and thanks for sharing.

 

[OnlySympathy]

I hope you enter it in one the comps - those greens are so moody and gorgeous! Well done you, and thanks for sharing.

Thank you!!!! I’ll enter it into the next contest that I can

 

[TJAnonymous]

Thank you!!!! I’ll enter it into the next contest that I can

Definitely a winner... Unless they are just doing random winners. Still a great pic

 

[WilderSkye]

It never bolted? If it ever does I would save the seeds to see if you have a randomly cold hardy perennial Swiss chard variety

It has and I did. As soon as it cools off a bit I will plant a box full. Behind it is spinach beet greens and it made it through winter, too, so I got plenty of seeds from it.

 

[OnlySympathy]

I found these very old seeds when snooping through a closet, I wonder if I can get any to germinate

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

What with beets, onions, rhubarb, and now watermelon, my list of plants that hate me is growing.

I stopped growing them..no matter when I picked it was wrong. Too early, too late and never when it should be. And trust me I tried every advice on how to tell. Figured I just am not meant to grow them.

 

[Justagalwithchicks]

Picked cucumbers, had a couple bell peppers that broke off in our storm the other day, so decided to make some sweet pickle relish. I love it on hard boiled eggs. Don't judge me until you try it!

 

[CatInTheHenHouse]

The only cucumber that is definitely forming into a cucumber is looking awfully pointy on one end. I think the bees might be slacking.

 

[Nym]

I found these very old seeds when snooping through a closet, I wonder if I can get any to germinate View attachment 4195354

I had some with a 2017 expiry. Too bad i threw them around at the end of summer because so many germinated.