Thoughts on Beekeeping…..
After the icy start to March, April was a month to truly lift the spirits! The spring bulbs made an appearance, buds broke and early garden flowers gave a promise of what was to come. The very cold weather early in the year seems a long time ago now and whereas I could switch the heating on, my bees struggled. The old winter bees were reaching the end of their lives but trying to raise the hive temperature to bring the queen into laying once more. On top of that, they then needed to be able to feed and keep the brood warm so that there was a new generation ready to go for the new season. Unfortunately, pollen and nectar sources can be virtually nil in cold weather, so when the foragers were tempted out on milder days, they use fuel but find all the petrol stations closed!!
So, my request for those of you as you browse the gardening centres and plant catalogues is to please consider flowers that provide early pollen and nectar – crocuses, snowdrops, aconites (which always disappear in my garden), heathers, hazel, mahonia and flowering currant. Pollinators are also grateful during the summer for open, simple flowers, herbs and even dandelions. Ivy is an important last ditch feeding station in late autumn, so please don’t chop all of it down. It hosts a wide range of wildlife.
Another, final, request. When we are all in full-gardening flow, fighting pests and diseases on every front, please consider delaying any spraying until the evening of a calm day, when pollinators will not be flying. Enjoy your garden and say “hello” to any bees. If they are misbehaving, they are certainly not mine.  Di Cook