Feeding the bees in Feb

I am checking the bees regularly now. Feb is an important month for bees.

The queen starts to lay as the older wintered bees start to die off.

It is a critical time for them. If the queen lays too many eggs, the pressure of extra brood to rear could starve the colony quickly, but if she doesn't lay at the right time she won't have enough worker bees to replace those that are dying off now.

She wants to be at an advantage for when the first pollen sources come available next month. She will need foraging bees to work those sources, those bees will need to be reared soon.

From when the egg is laid by the queen to emerging from the sealed cell as a young worker takes 21 days.

The young bee will spend the first three weeks working inside the hive as a nurse bee, drawing comb from her wax glands, temperature regulation etc.

After the three weeks she will start to go out of the hive to foraging, she will do this till she dies, usually by six weeks.

If the queen needs foragers in six weeks time, she will need to lay them now. 

I have placed fondant blocks above the crown board. On each hive they were busy using it. I replaced any near empty blocks with full ones. I don't lift off the crown board to check them, it is too cold yet.

On one hive I was using a ashford feeder with strong syrup. I noticed that they were not using it and the hive was getting very light. So I took it off and replaced it with a crown board and fondant. 

I don't like to open up a hive like that at this time of year but needs most. I don't wish for them to starve. 

As you can see from the photo there are bees covering two frames. I placed the fondant immediately above the cluster and they started taking it down immediately. The feeder was of no use to them as they will only feed above the cluster. To break cluster would cause them to chill and die.

The hive that I wintered in a double brood box seems the strongest. I will winter all the hives next year like this. They will have twice as many frames for stores and would be at a great advantage with needing very little if any feeding. 

This worker bee landed on the roof of the hive. She used it as a chance to cleanse her full over wintered bowels and take in water to return to the hive with.

Apple Chutney

I have been looking for ways to use the large amount of apple I got from my uncles orchard. 

I have made cider, used them in juicing, apple tarts and now chutney!

And I still have loads left, the pigs might get them before I use them all up!

1kg apples

300g onions

150g raisins

300-400 ml vinegar, to taste

300-400g sugar, to taste 

Salt

Mixed spice

Coriander

Add all the ingredients to a pot and allow to gently simmer for 2-4 hrs with the lid off.

Stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick to the bottom. 

Once it has turned a rich dark colour and has reduced down, spoon it hot into clean jam jars and seal the lids. 

Once it cools, the lids should pop down, a sign of a good seal. 

Allow to mature for 2-3 months before use. 

It gives a yummy kick to cheese or cold meat !

Planting willow cuttings

I set about planting willow cuttings today ( thanks Kate ).  They were partially soaking in water since I got them last week. It was well time to get them planted.

These are a mixture of basket making varieties. I planted them around the bees and along a fence line.

I am hoping they will give the bees more shelter and encourage them to fly higher in the orchard. 

As they grow, we hope to weave them into fedges, a living willow hedge/fence.

We will use the winter pruning rods for basket making.

A few more signs of life in the garden. The rhubarb has awoken as have many flowering bulbs around the garden. The daffodils and tulips are pushing up through the cold soil. There are lambs in the surrounding fields, it is spring!

I have made a start to clearing out the veg beds. The pigs are reaping the rewards of turnips, kale, radishes and cabbages that have been damaged by recent storms. 

One pigs is to go to the butcher shortly, and the other is to remain as our breeding sow. 

I need to get the veg beds cleared out and add compost to them. Maybe try and heat up the soil using plastic sheeting. There is no polytunnel for this season. It will not be worth our while to replace the plastic on it after the storms. 

My to-do list is very long. February is alway a very panicked month, as I try to get ahead of the weeding, planting, beekeeping etc.

The hens need to move back into their moveable coop. I am getting no eggs and are having to buy them. But the dogs are well feed and have a great shine from all the extra protein. I want eggs!!! We also need to replace the hens that we lost last month. 

The bees need plenty of attention from now on. I need to check their food stores every week as now is the time for them to starve, as the queen starts to lay. This puts a great deal of pressure on the colony. 

We need to buy a new cow. I miss raw jersey milk so much!!

Although I feel pressured, I am very excited for spring. The winter is a very inactive period, and I long for its rest by autumn.

 But now, I long for activity, longer days, sunshine and sandals.