April 21…The turnips are blooming. Why is that important? Because the bees are getting the pollen. Pollen that is high in protein, with all the essential amino acids, and is highly digestible. Last October, we planted the turnips as a cover crop and intended the blossoms to mature early in spring, but we didn’t realize that the pollen was so nourishing. Apparently, the bees do well on it, so well it can lead to swarming. I just hope I can capture the swarm.
Pollen sacs full. (A lucky shot with an iPhone)
For several days (when it’s not raining) the bees have appeared on the front of the hive. I think they’re waiting for a sunny day. “Be patient, little critters, good weather is coming soon.”
Adventures in Natural Beekeeping 
Good to see the bees again Pat, things are looking good, I always love the music that accompanies your videos.
I’ll be planting some turnips today and we hope to have our first hive in a week or two, yippee! 🙂
You’re getting bees. Awesome. I’m gonna look forward to the Straw Bale House and Hive news.
Those are impressive pollen sacs! Amelia
Ulp…I see I spelled pollen sacs wrong. (Just changed it).
I was so happy to learn that turnips had such a high protein count. Its so easy to grow here, it’s a natural cover crop. Trouble is…I’ve got to have room to put in the squash plants. That means the turnips have got to go. Maybe they will be done blooming by then. I hope so.
I let my broccoli and brussels sprouts flower for just this reason! I can’t believe how many pollinators just love the blossoms: honeybees, bumblebees, orchard mason bees…
Yes, it’s great to let them winter over because it provides good (and early) nutrition for the bees. But seriously, you grow brussels sprouts? I know, I know it’s one of those “super foods,” but uh…it’s also one of the few foods I don’t care for. 🙂
Love them! Baked in olive oil then tossed with balsamic vinegar – delicious!
Hive looking good! Glad to see it. Any extra swarms pls let me know, my friend lost her hive that I was going to split so…….
Thanks, Steve. In years past, I had many swarms to give away. Now I’m down to ONE hive. I’m hoping it will swarm soon (but not on Saturday) and that I can corral the little darlings. Do you have any bait hives up? I’m told the cranberry (commercial) hives are in the area…if you want to go down that path.
Cranberry bees will work just fine!
We’ve had an unusually high number of swarms this spring, probably due to the warm winter and lots of nourishing pollen from the flowers of the tulip poplar and locust trees.