#backyardbeekeeping

The apiary grew! Connecticut is here! My first split! Now to see if they are successful rearing a queen. Meanwhile, Gillian and some of her pals ‘swarmed’ Georgia to a new box. 🐝🐝 #backyardbeekeeping #georgia #connecticut #colonysplit (at Jubile Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/CrmTYJlP2-E/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

She took a pollen bath! 🐝 #backyardbeekeeping #jubilegardens (at Jubile Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/Crg_DtivsPr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Working the pear tree! 🐝🍐🙌 #backyardbeekeeping #jubilegardens #apiary (at Jubile Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/Crbv5UhSkc6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The past week has been ‘a-buzz’ in the back yard. Both colonies have been showing out and Pennsylvania has even been a bit scary with the number of bees hanging out around the hive. It’s been a weirdly mild winter here and I don’t think my girls slowed down all that much. On the flip side, I’ve barely managed to get one colony successfully through winter before now, so how do I know what a healthy ‘made it through winter’ colony is? Two strong colonies and one literally PACKED with bees and frames of eggs to capped brood (saw the queen in one which is always a thrill…she’s gorgeous!). No swarm cells, but possibly on the cusp here in the next couple weeks. I decided to put a honey super on and see what happens. The bees gotta go somewhere and the queen needs a place to lay eggs. It’s too early for a split…there aren’t any drones for the mating flight… 🤷‍♀️😬🤞🐝 #pennsylvania #georgia #jubilegardens #backyardbeekeeping (at Jubile Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp9IFWJrr-i/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The yard was ‘a buzz’ today with orientation flights and a lot of pollen(!) being foraged for new bees. #jubilegardens #backyardbeekeeping #winterbees (at Jubile Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClU2g3jr6X8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Not the ideal time of year to be breaking down hives for winter, but the weather went south on me a day too early. When I tried to do it on a less than ideal, overcast day, they were having none of it! Thankfully, there was a sunny break in the weather today and we battled it out. Both hives are strong, low on mites and ready for winter! ❄️🐝 #georgia #backyardbeekeeping #winterbees #winteriscoming (at Jubile Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckb3hUhvds1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

This was supposed to be the last firing of the smoker until spring, but Georgia was having NONE OF IT today. Now I have to wait for a good weather window to assess and prep them for winter properly. In the meantime, we’ll make due girls, OK? #backyardbeekeeping #georgia #pissybees #winterprep (at Jubile Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj9R2UfJhoX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=