2012 - The first Bee Update

January and February have been challenging months for our bees: lack of rain, extreme temperatures, stong winds and snow have meant that our bee colony has struggled to survive. Many of our beekeeping colleagues, even the most experienced, have suffered colony losses as their bees' food supplies have run out, or they have not been able to access food supplies, and they have not been able to maintain hive temperatures.

Our bees will be relieved when the spring flowers are blooming and the sun starts to shine - but we are facing drought conditions, so we should be hoping for rain!

There is an old wives' tale that says a queen honeybee will begin laying eggs on 1st January. She needs to start building up the colony as the old bees get worn out and die off, and there is going to be a lot for the new workers to do as the warmer weather approaches - foraging for pollen, nectar, propalis and water to feed the growing brood and keep the hive defended.

If you keep an eye out for bees, you may notice that earlier in the day the bumble bees will be out foraging, but the honeybee will wait until the day warms up before venturing out.

If you are beginning to sow your seeds for your garden, please give a thought for the pollinators - they don't like double flowers as these often don't have much nectar, but they do like old fashioned cottage garden style plants which have a good perfume. Let us know if you see honeybees around, and which plants you find they keep returning to. We hope to be selling honey later on in the year and some of it may have come from your garden or allotment - how good is that!?!

Kate Macnish