April 2012

Following the tropical March, and despite the April monsoon my remaining colony was large enough to split in mid April. It produced Queen cells on two frames and i decided to subdivide it hoping got make good last years losses.

March 2012

Well, we're now in May and although this grim weather is letting me catch up here i find myself wishing it was March again. I'm still wondering if that was our summer this year and am remembering thinking it wasn't the best sign to end up narrowly avoiding sunburn so early in the year.

Back in March....



The hens where coming back in to full lay and Marans / Silkie cross (5th from the left) had started giving us green eggs. Given the Maran lays dark brown and the Silkie white eggs this is definitely not the colour expected. Most of the girls give us an egg a day so i shan't be grumbling about the colour.



Omelettes where back on the menu.  As was cauliflower cheese bake.



In the nearby woods the first Comma of the year was seen out and about.



Over at the "Lost Plot" the bees where out and about gathering pollen from Gorse, Hazel, and here seem to have found some dandelions. See more on the Bees page.



Back on 17 > 19 the tulips on the corner where out almost two months earlier than last year






Looking back it was as if the spring bulbs this year knew what was to come as they all seemed to come out over a short time. At least the sun allowed some pleasant days clearing down the dead stems and digging in the compost.

Marjoram

I think this particular plant came from Susie Whites the walled garden at Chesters. Like memories of all my other visits there over the last 20 years I treasure it. If you can visit before it closes for good this Spring.

Borage for Bees

The bees love this. Although its an annual we pretty much have it here on a perennial basis. To favour the Bumblers i just remove the ones that are crowding the veg. The kids like to eat the flowers too.