Swarm Calendar

I need to record my swarm prevention techniques and dates.

February 21, 2010 Reversed brood boxes

March 26, 2010 Added third deep and interspersed ten empty frames among existing

May 7, 2010 Added shallow with foundation under third deep; third deep too heavy

Need to add second shallow soon or maybe medium if I can get it built

Started Seeds

I started some seeds in the ground and our outdoor winter sowing containers today. Into the ground went sugar snaps, lettuce (mesclun and romaine), and spinach. I'm trying the catmint and sweet woodruff in a starter box. I have absolutely no confidence in seeds; it's too much of a miracle I think.

I think I really messed up by piling the leaves in the bed. The hitchhiking acorns are all sprouting which I think we can clear out pretty easily but then I noticed all the elm helicopters and I think that might really be a mess. Live and learn; maybe it won't be too weedy of a mess.

Otherwise, dirt looks great. Nice and sunny today; bees are out and I'm hoping they are taking their feed.

Reversed Brood Boxes

I reversed the two brood boxes today. The lower was in fact completely empty and very light, easy to remove from the bottom board. The upper was somewhat heavy with a tight cluster taking up pretty much every frame but the most outer.

The next steps are to repaint all woodenware (which I will do today) and to buy more frames and some medium brood boxes for later. Maybe I can do that this week. I want to go up to Brushy Mountain and pick up the supplies to avoid the shipping charges.

I am really hoping to catch a swarm (none from mine!) this summer if Mitzi will call and let me know one has landed on her porch! That's where my swarm went last Easter. She said she has three total land in the same spot and just left them there until they flew away. If I have some medium brood boxes then I think I can use it as a new home. I have the bottom board, inner cover, and outer cover already from my spare parts.