Bees & Pollinators - Harvest

Today

September 6, 2011

Today was busy, but good busy.  Here are just a few things Tool Lady and I got done today…

We did some training of our espalier trees (which means we tied their branches to the fence) and in the process accidently harvested a few (not quite ready) apples that Fish Girl is just a little excited about.

In the process, Tool Lady found that my brother (whose initials are H.W.) is apparently manifesting himself in the garden on an apple leaf.  Super cool!!!

We chopped down 98% of the sunflowers and have hung them to dry in the garage (that was cleaned today) while we wait to roast most of them and save a few for next year.

We also found a few babies that we found to be table worthy.

I was able to save a ton of Yellow Taxi seeds for next year while chopping up four pounds of them in preparation to…

Can for the very first time…EVER!!!  Yep, you read that right, I am no longer a Canning Virgin!  I made 4 1/2 pints of Yellow Tomato & Basil Jam and 4 pints of pickles!!!  I am very proud and will have to write more about this later.

We also checked on the bees and had a little accident in the process.  See, our bees are silly and are making their comb across TWO bars in stead of just one.  When we tried to separate the two and straighten them out, one came crashing down.  Literally.  Honey, bees and THE QUEEN into a pile on top of the top bar hive!  Remarkably, the bees stayed calm, we stayed calm and queen was found and placed happily back into her home.  This could have been tragic, but it was OK in the end.

The best part is that the comb that fell off contained a bit of honey that Tool Lady squashed and strained while I worked on the pickles and jam.

We got a full pint (which equals 1 pound 4 ounces) of gorgeous, super sweet, beautiful honey!!!

The second jar you see contains what remains of the comb and houses little bits of honey.  These pieces  are perfect for popping in your mouth, chewing up and then spitting out (it is wax, after all).

We will absolutely have to feed the bees this winter since their honey production suffered (I think) from the drought (lack of rain = lack of flowers = lack of pollen = lack of honey), the fact that this was their first season in their new home and the fact that we had our little accident.

I have to say, this little jar of honey made this long, busy day absolutely magical!!!  I hope that, whatever you did, you had a magical day, too!  Cheers!!!

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4 Comments on “Today”

  1. Hi Melissa, have been reading through your posts on Bees WOW you two love a challenge………. Iv’e always loved bees my father kept a couple of hives in our backyard and as a child i loved helping turn the spinner to collect the honey. When i was about 16 i got stung in the head and had a severe reaction, no swelling just couldn’t breathe, off to hospital for an injection. I learnt to keep away from the hives,
    Nothing better than your own honey, my brother now keeps bees and this last xmas we all received jars……..best ever present.

    1. There really is nothing better than your own honey! And yes, I know all about bee sting reactions and keep my EpiPen in case of emergency 🙂 I’m glad that your brother can keep bees even if you can’t so you can share in the bounty!

  2. I can already feel the addiction tearing at me! Must. Can. Everything. I guess there are worse things 😉

  3. How wonderful to harvest that honey! And congrats on the Canning! It is addicting now that you have started….beware 🙂 LOL

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