I can’t believe it has been FIVE months since I last posted to bee-mail! Gosh I have been busy as a bee! But what a winter/spring chock-a-block with bee related events!
First – there was the February Festooning extravaganza let by Maria Molteni and Colette Aliman at the BU 808 Gallery. Wow! What an honor to be a part of this group! Sadie and I, along with Kathleen Robinson, were there to present on the Leland Garden and its history of apiary stewardship – it’s always a treat to hear Kathleen tell the tale of the founding of the garden!
My favorite presenter from this event was Lotte de Moor from SkyHive – not only was she a blast to hang out with after the day’s events – but I really love what this design collective does.
The February Festooning was followed by the March BNAN (Boston Natural Areas Network) Gardener’s Gathering – where my friend Mario D’Amato, a newly minted MUG (Master Urban Gardener) 2013 graduate and beekeeper at the Victory Gardens, facilitated a panel on urban beekeeping. Sadie and I, along with Bill Perkins from Ag Hall and Dean and Ramona from Golden Rule, shared our apis mellifora tales with a rapt audience: curious, engaged and ready to embark on their own adventure.
By late March I received the sad news that my two nucs I had ordered from Fairfax, VT did not make it through the winter. This was devastating. Where does a beekeeper find stock to supply two hives so late in the season? I searched high and low- because I did not – under any circumstance – want a Georgia bred package. (I’ll get to why later)
Two apiaries got back to me – Nature’s Way Farms in the Finger Lakes region of New York (a region dear to my heart because of grad school) – and the other, Northwoods Apiary in Westfield, the far reaches of Northern Vermont on the Canadian border (also dear to me as I lived in the Northeast Kingdom for over 5 years).
It was 6 of one ½ dozen of the other – and I got in touch with Josh White from Northwoods first. I loved our conversation –we talked about organic treatment, leaving the bees alone as much as possible and the negative practice of large scale bee ‘factories’ in Georgia – Josh stated most of the Georgia bees are bred to breed – not necessarily bred for strength, winter hardiness or even high yields of honey production – and I agree. Plus – it’s tremendously difficult to get strong stock from artificially inseminated Queens. If I were stuck with a package I would re-Queen anyway (which, of course has its pros and cons… it really is trial and error!)
Josh carries hygienic Carniolan Queens – winter hardy ladies of Slovak/Czech Carpathian Mountain region descent – that are open mated with Vermont (or Canadian) drones – wow – that’s an awesome pedigree!
I was pleased with my selection – but had to wait until Memorial Day to pick them up. What a great excuse to plan a weekend in Vermont – visiting friends en route to pick up bees from the same town, Westfield, my favorite cheese comes from.
It was a glorious weekend (except for the weather) – with one night in Hardwick, a day in Glover and one night in the Eastern Townships of Quebec (in North Hatley). We had to drive a friend to Montpelier – so at one point there were three humans, two dogs and 40,000 bees in our little Honda Fit! Fun times – even if it SNOWED on the way home! Yes, snow on Memorial Day Weekend – such a typical late spring in northern New England.
Northwoods Apiary nuc yard and workshop
The bees were introduced to their new home – with some modification to the site in the garden. Josh and I weeded and leveled the soil and replaced my beautiful stands with the old table for sturdier support. And that was it!
While the ladies adjusted to the ‘southern’ climate and new digs I continued my bee endeavors at the 3rd Tour de Hives. What an amazing event – produced by incredible volunteers from the Boston Beekeepers Club to introduce urban beekeeping and urban cycling to those in the Boston metro area. Bikes and bees – what’s not to LOVE?!?
The number of people in attendance (I’m guessing 150 – could have been more!) and their curiosity and enthusiasm was so exciting! Mark your calendar for next year – this is truly an event NOT TO MISS!
We started on Boston Common
The roof-top hives on at Fairmount Copley Plaza
A patient participant
Curious onlookers at Best Bees in the South End
Maria and Collete’s Inflatable Hive at the Fenway Victory Gardens
I visited my ladies one time since the installation – for a very quick inspection two weeks ago (6/23) – and gosh were they active – they’re working hard! With almost two deeps totally full I added on a super to each hive. I plan to add another super this weekend.
**So – if you are around and want to visit Sally and Mavis with me I encourage you to come to the apiary tomorrow, Sunday, July 7th, at 11A. I will be conducting a MAJOR hive inspection – and you are more than welcome to watch and learn!**
And I’m back in the bee-Mail groove – so stay tuned for a post after the inspection – I’m sure there will be tons to share!
