Sunday, February 24, 2013

Things are really starting to happen around here!



Yesterday was the Short Course for the Cherokee Beekeepers Association in Athens, TN.  We had 137 people attend! We ran out of chairs and had to get more brought in. There were three lucky people that got hive starter kits today thanks to a grant program from the state and the state beekeeper's association and the local association (there were 35 people apply for the grants!). We had speakers talk about bee biology, hive equipment, getting bees, installing packages, and a Master Gardener talked about nectar and pollen plants.

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I went out in the yard today and the bees are approaching a frenzy.  They are really working the henbit and some little blue flowers called speedwell.  I put some syrup out just to see if they'd take it (the temperature is only 60°F today).  They are all over it.  I'm glad to see them flying in and out of both hives.  That's a really positive sign.  I thought about going into the hives today, but it's supposed to get cold again next weekend, and I don't want to tear comb apart and risk damaging the hive or the queen.  But hopefully great times are just around the corner!

Lamium amplexicaule (common names:  Henbit Deadnettle, Greater Henbit)





Veronica persica (common names:  Persian speedwell, large field speedwell, bird's-eye, or winter speedwell )


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