This picture of the bees was taken in January. Hard to believe.
Well today is the first of February. I did get some stuff accomplished last month with the help of my youngest son. Jon came down for about three days and we got some trees moved, the paddock cleaned out and the compost pile turned. He was very helpful.
The day before yesterday I got the heat mats out, the seed starting trays and the heat mat thermostat in the greenhouse and all set up for the seeds. Yesterday I got a lot of seeds started and hopefully they will get a good early start. I do have a problem with voles and am trying to get rid of them before the gardening season really kicks in. Not quite sure how to do that. I really don't like to use poison around the garden. I did put out some traps but no luck so far. I do have some mole holes in the yard I will try the poison in because they are not real close to the garden areas. I will have to be careful though because I do have a cat that like to hunt them, when it is warm outside.
The bees have been out and about on occasion when the sun has been shining. What a lovely site to see. I love the bees. They have been collecting the pollen from the filberts and alder trees we have around the place. I do have some flowers that are blooming because of the unusual warm weather we have been having. We did get a touch of rain this week but not enough to really amount to anything.
Hopefully this month we can get more done before gardening starts. Need to build some raised beds for some of the plants I started. Want to put netting underneath to help deter the voles. Wish me luck.
Will try to take pictures as I go.
gosh those hives are terrific! we dont know that status of our beez.. we lost a hive last winter. here's hoping. thanks for stopping by my place.
ReplyDelete:-)
I just checked the hives a couple of days ago and it looks like we might lose on of the hives. Not sure yet, taking precautions. I don't stop by as often as I would like. Always something that needs to be done.
DeleteVoles are a problem. I tried 1/2" hardware 'cloth' under my raised beds, but eventually that rusts out. We harvest our potatoes sooner so they don't get eaten.
ReplyDeleteMy three hives are bringing in gobs of bright yellow pollen. It might be pussy willow pollen, because I can see (and hear) them up in our willow trees.
Those stinking voles are a real problem. Our cats used to catch them but they don't eat them so quit catching them. Really bad when they get into the greenhouse.
DeleteUp here we are starting the fruit bloom, way early, but it is what it is and can't be helped. The Alders still have catkins on them and we have a form of Dogwood, Carnelian Cherries in bloom now.
Thank you for your visit.