RWGillespie

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Last Notes

2024-08-14 20:53:33

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I’m learning to raise enough to sustain my yard for now.

2024-08-11 12:18:58

Good morning! Here’s another queen born in 2024. #beestr
https://m.primal.net/JwAh.jpg

2024-08-06 20:41:55

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Full disclosure- it’s not what I did. I watched hours of YouTube, read some books and then went full speed ahead. I’ve done/am doing stupid stuff still and probably paying for it with cash and other ways, but there are lots of friendly online communities that will help if you ask.

2024-08-06 01:41:57

More adventures in the bee yard this week. I wanted to merge a nuc with another queenless colony, but the nuc was the better colony. So rehomed the nuc. I was a little surprised by just how many bees there were. Then moved the weak colony over for the merge. #beestr
https://m.primal.net/JpWQ.jpg
https://m.primal.net/JpWR.jpg
https://m.primal.net/JpWS.jpg

2024-08-06 01:32:27

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I'm surprised no one said it, but the best way is find someone in your area who is already doing it and help them for a season or two before you start your own. It won't be a lot of hours, but seeing the life cycle for bees in your climate is really useful.

2024-06-11 11:41:12

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We did a follow up inspection this week. The hive that had only one cell has hatched and mated successfully. The other one didn't appear to have any brood which made us think it failed, but then we spotted the queen bee so 2 tries - 2 wins. It was really exciting for us amateurs. #beestr

2023-06-19 20:53:23

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Any luck? I’d love to look into this too.

2023-06-12 10:55:57

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https://nostr.build/i/29edd53203e84b628976185896804499021b0cf9c28c037b64aac5765ed219fb.jpg

2023-06-12 10:55:24

Good morning! Slow start but bees are thriving along the North shore of Lake Erie.

2023-05-21 12:01:55

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It was the existing queen that made the swarm. As I was scooping bees from the tree and into a hive box, I spotted her yellow mark. I’ve been warned that the 8 frame hives will run out of space sooner.

2023-05-20 18:57:21

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They started in an 8 frame single deep box. I checked it 3 days ago and saw lots of bees and the beginning of queen cups. I thought I had until tomorrow to act.

2023-05-20 13:16:33

Excited to catch a swarm but shamed because it’s from my hive that I didn’t manage well. Was lucky to revive it. https://nostr.build/i/677c06a8782c967c74a2ee53a40871802356ac462b39ff777b0dc62eb30730dd.jpg https://nostr.build/i/88f467a6de57fc340f90935ceb9d1dd3ad267c1157c97c6a4918b892c340c40e.jpg

2023-04-15 17:22:42

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I can’t claim special skill. I used a heated pad under the seed tray and humidity dome until they germinated. My next stage is hardening so we’ll see how we do. My first lot only had 3 of 12 but the seeds were older.

2023-04-14 10:57:50

https://nostr.build/i/nostr.build_82d0263ce97208ca303987b0206af4ba656c21eb3409b658c818109e4182ee27.jpeg Good morning! Starting Lavender plants for the garden. Lots of good reasons for this but the big one is to keep deer from the garden. Anyone seen this work? #grownostr #gardening

2023-04-14 10:52:19

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They look awesome in addition to functional.

2023-04-13 18:22:36

https://nostr.build/i/nostr.build_ee15f020cb45981e457f125adbe0a103f1e1cb3ad962f7d562d8478656022d18.jpeg This is how I’ve been working to solve the winter problem. Roughly 2 inch insulation on sides and top but still using Langstroth frames. Didn’t do the bottom last year and that’s why I think 2/3 of the nucs didn’t make it. #bees #grownostr

2023-04-13 14:56:57

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There's lots of good material on the youtubes, but find sources in your climate. I've asked dozens of questions on my local beekeeping club.
If you can find a mentor, or even someone a couple of years ahead that you can help with and get a little experience, that'll help take away fear of action.
Failing that, just do it. Start with two hives. There's no such thing as a cheap hobby and bees aren't, but you can do things like build your own hive bodies, or try things like to catch a swarm in your area.

2023-04-13 13:31:05

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We're going into our 3rd year. Our winters are pretty good - but beekeeping can be done with the winters. Check out Etienne Tardif and North of 60 Beekeeping on youtube. He talks his techniques and there's lots to learn there.

2023-04-13 11:38:36

https://nostr.build/i/nostr.build_380c39e89a82c8c9f49007bf3b390c296992916cf9be7816597466c27f4dc2e1.jpeg Happy Spring all! It’s warming up enough in Southern Ontario so we can get in hives. Our August swarm survived and we found the queen. #grownostr #bees