We acquired some tenants on the property this year. They live in this nice little shelter:
They really are tenants, because we don't own them and we don't have any desire to own them. They belong to my brother-in-law who took up bee-keeping as a hobby last year. He has two hives at his house and wanted a third one but didn't feel he had the room, so he asked if he could set one up at our place.
Here they are a little closer. I don't get too near, because they make me nervous, but I'm not terrified of them either. The rent they pay is to pollinate my vegetable garden. And maybe, it they're productive enough we'll be gifted with a little honey too.
Each hive is supposed to produce up to thirty pounds of honey, but my poor b-i-l, after spending tons of money on equipment and sugar last year only got about one and a half pounds out of two hives. What a bunch of slackers! Hopefully, he'll do better this year.
Get to work little bees and earn your keep! I've already seen them buzzing around my garden, but they also seem to be delighted with the hummingbird feeder. Hmmmmm! Not sure how I feel about that! I can't say I've seen any noticeable improvement in the squash and tomato pollination yet, but hopefully they will do their jobs.
We don't keep bees but have quite a few in our gardens. I don't bother them and so far they have not bothered me! Glad to have them pollinate as long as they leave me along! Sure would like the honey though. I buy mine from a man around the corner so it is local. Nancy
ReplyDeleteI buy only local honey too Nancy. After hearing about the adulteration of honey from abroad I had to take a stand! I'm happy to have the bees but not do the work of keeping them!
DeleteThat is great news! I love having our bees around to pollinate. Of course I like the honey too. I find they pay no attention to me unless I stand near the hive too long. Then they see me as a threat. Otherwise they make good tenants.
ReplyDeleteI'm very pleased to have them here and it's been fun seeing them buzzing around the garden!
DeleteWe get local honey at a stand in town but last week I got some cheaper from a man at the flea market. I hope he is there again this week. I would love to have a hive but it will have to wait.
ReplyDeleteThey are cool Becky, but from all that my b-i-l tells us, it seems like a lot of work and worry tending them. Friends of mine started keeping bees last year and lost both their hives over the winter. But the honey sure is wonderful when things work out!
DeleteI wish I could get a beekeeper to set up a hive on my property!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I do feel very lucky to have them!
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