May 31…The Bee Garden is shaping up after Sue added her brick work. We like it so much we’re going to add more on the other side.
The photo shows just some of the bee-loving plants we’re growing…some from seed, some from our favorite nursery.
I just noticed these ferns practically overgrowing the little Birdhouse Bee hive.
I successfully trimmed the ferns without getting stung. The bees probably don’t care one way or the other, but it gives me a clear shot with the camera.
Are these drones? It almost looks like it. Drones sometimes mean swarms (before or after)…I’m hoping this is before so I can encourage them into an empty Warre hive with their name on it. 🙂
May 31…The hugelkulture bed needs a little more work for sure. This is a ‘before’ picture. I’d like to make a little path going past the hive and circling back past the sunflowers I just planted (if the slugs don’t eat them first.
Adventures in Natural Beekeeping 
Looks like bee paradise! Amelia
Our paradise too. We’ve set up a few benches so we can observe bee activities, but it’s just an excuse to rest up while we’re out weeding, watering, or moving piles of mulch.
I face the same kind of challenge in the location where the nuc is situated: how to weed, especially the stinging nettles, in the middle of a flight path? Answer: early, early morning or when it is practically dark. Or wait for winter!
Hello fellow Oregon Beekeeper!
I found your blog and am excited about all of your journies with bees! I really love your focus on forage: so important.
I don’t know if you have heard about the College of the Melissae; Center for Sacred Beekeeping.
We are also in Oregon, Ashland to be exact.
It would be great to meet. I would love to check out your apiary and share ours as well.
I am not sure where you are, but if you are close to us, Jacqueline Freeman is coming to do two days worth of workshops Jun 10 & 11.
We have our apiaries at a Hot Spring campground, so there would be a place for you to camp!
Regardless, if you are ever in the area do let me know. It would be great to connect. Some folks and I are going to be developing a colition of natural beekeepers so I hope we can stay in contact and add you to the Voice!
Great work, great blog! Keep on doing your good work! (I love the beard hive)
Blessings,
Laura Bee
http://www.collegeofthemelissae.com
I thought I could see one drone in your closeup of the bees but most were workers. I’m sure you must have drones by now though. What a great garden.