Category Archives: Farming

Trouble in the Top Bar

The last 2 weeks have been cold & rainy, and I’ve been worried about the new package I installed in the top bar hive on April 10th. Continue reading

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Queens emerge as early as 10 days after the hive is split

I checked my hives 7 days after making splits into 4 frame nuc hives, and was pleased to see the bees doing what they ought to be doing–making queens. Continue reading

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Compost grown radishes

This spring we made a major shift in our approach to gardening, and replaced our front lawn with beds for the garden. Continue reading

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Honeybee journal entry

Here is what I found in today’s inspection: Tango hive:  (new top bar hive) Humid inside!  I need to drill some ventilation holes in the bottom, and maybe another entrance hole.  There is comb drawn on 7 bars, 5 of … Continue reading

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Chicken tractors for ducks

Our current design for portable pens Continue reading

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Goslings spotted today!

Three bright, neon-green goslings had climbed on top of their mom who was still sitting on the nest. It takes 31 days for goose eggs to hatch, and there they were. Continue reading

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Splitting the beehive

My goal has been to keep about 6 beehives.  Last year I started with 2, ended with 1, and learned a ton about beekeeping.  That one hive is doing great, and there’s still about 3-4 weeks left on the major … Continue reading

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Exploding population in the beehive

Yesterday afternoon, I inspected my beehive. The maple trees have been in full bloom for the past few weeks, and the bees have definitely made the most of it. Continue reading

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Installing Packaged Bees into a Top Bar Hive

The queens came in individual cages, and ran $20 each if you just wanted to re-queen your hive. The whole family was along with me when we got them, and we all got to see how they were delivered. The … Continue reading

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150 lbs. of romaine lettuce

Yesterday afternoon I made my usual stop at Top Of The Hill Quality Produce to pick up their discarded greens. Continue reading

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