Bees! Update

 The bees have been castles to 3 boxes now and going strong. The front entrance has been opened up so they have more space there. Also had to change out one box due to the wood rotting out, but it was/is old equipment from my bee mentor.

Plums! and a Castle or 2

 I HAVE PLUMS! They are on the newest plum tree, but I HAVE 6 PLUMS!

Everyone seems to be in agreement that these are black berries and I have quite a bit of them as well.

The Bees are doing great as well. I just put a "castle" on them. All that means is I added a box with frames. I am currently using 8 frame boxes. It still surprises me how docile these bees are; guess I did the right thing in making solid bottoms with limited openings. Didn't even need to use smoke to add the box. The boxes on top are a means to assist the hive with not getting too hot from the sun. Allowing some shade as well as air flow.

Finally got the fence along the front of the house down as well. All that is left are the fence posts and to put up another fence or just leave it without a fence.... decisions.

Buzz Buzz Bees and Wetness

 Thursday this last week I got in 2 more packages of bees. They are installed in their hives with the hard bottoms I created and only about a 3/4 inch opening. So Far it seems to be working very well.

I also got some experience in wood working by helping build a potting table for a friend's birthday.

Ran some water down to the new garden.

Got the Tomato Starts in the original garden area ... I have no hope for them they are very delicate. While I was doing this the 1 Cabbage head that I harvested the week before had its stem trying to regrow.

And last but not least the Pepper Plant Starts got put in the new garden and the water system tested.

I now have all the supplies I need to also run water to the Plumcot trees and re-do the watering system to the original garden so that I can weed and mow up there much easier.

New Bee Box Bottoms

Since the bees almost made it though the winter and had suffered through quite a few pests last year that could get through the screen bottoms I decided to make solid bottoms for the boxes.

I had to connivence the queen to give up her throne so that I could make my new bee box bottom.

She allowed me her space to start working on the bee box bottom.

They aren't the prettiest, but after some wax to close up the cracks they are ready to go.