Hive And Garden Update

We went into the hive for a quick inspection on Saturday, to find out what was going on after the swarms had flown off, and a new queen was in residence.  We disturbed the colony as little as possible, but got a look at several frames in the brood nest. I was unable to locate the queen or visually verify the presence of any eggs (they're very small). Many cells contained 'liquid,' but is was impossible to tell if that was nectar being stored for making honey, or jelly and/or nectar being fed to new offspring.  We'll have to wait a few more days (and for a break in the rain), to see if there is evidence of developing larvae.  The colony seems to be working away, and they are flying - more so in the sunny breaks - so that leads me to believe that there is a queen in the hive and they sense that all is as it should be.

The rain has been making everything in the garden seem that much greener, and the perennial beds are starting to sport the flowers of our orange Asiatic lilies.

 

View from near the back fence, top bar hive and rabbitry. Those are 'potato buckets' on the right, with a blue water bucket for the bees tucked in front, and our bed of heritage wheat on the left..

 

 

The main perennial bed. The honeysuckle is still smelling lovely.

 

The newly-filled out perennial bed along the side of our property. This fence is also shared with a gardening neighbour, who doesn't mind the somewhat chaotic 'mix.' Foxglove, lupin, roses, climbing hydrangea, clematis, purple coneflower, hostas, herbs, and Black-Eyed Susans are there,  among other plants - netted off, of course, to discourage digging by the chickens! They get the spot under our big rhododendron bush, and along the other side of the property.

Another view from the back of the property towards the house. The close bed is Jerusalem Artichoke, which I am nipping back every few days to feed to the rabbits. In front of that, two beds of garlic are almost ready for harvest. Flats of greens were started weeks ago to quickly  replace the harvested crop. I need to plant Cranberry Pole Beans on the trellises as the peas are finishing up their period of productivity.  This small hoop house was made from material salvaged from the larger hoop house project last year, and contains more tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatillos and some very happy greens.

As for edibles, herbs, garlic scapes, peas, oriental greens, turnips, chard and strawberries are still the main offerings at this time of the year.  I'm reluctant to disturb the potato plants in the hope of new potatoes, since I'd rather have full-size tubers at harvest time for the same amount of effort.

 

 

Scapes and peas for lunch!



The grapevines planted by the previous owner, which produce poor grapes but plenty of leaves and vines, are taking over an ever-larger portion of the fence.  Last year we made a nice Greek dolmades-inspired casserole with fresh grape leaves and fresh mint from the garden, and this year I have been dehydrating some of the leaves to have available for later use.  The vines also make wonderful wreaths.