The most beautiful time is ahead...

Jody Gerdts
3 days ago
2 min read

I'm not convinced that this matters, but here we are, the first moon cycle past the solstice and the bees are definitely moving. For such a poor 18 months behind us, our bees are in good shape. Good breeding and management are shining through with brood nests expanding and plenty of stores left for the cold rainy weeks ahead.

Bees are sort of like money- it takes it to make it. Young queens will lay as many eggs in spring as the bees in the hive can cover; the more bees in the hive, the warmer it is and the more bees that can be made. In addition to temperature, colonies need sufficient protein to care for both the young (brood) and old (winter nurse) bees. Those darling winter bees will deplete their protein stores from their own body to feed the next generation, however this comes at the detriment to the colony as it can lead to premature death and a colony can dwindle filled with brood. It is quite sad.

To keep bees as healthy and happy as possible, we keep protein patties in the hives packed with spirulina and other goodies that make for fluffy, beautiful bees and substantial colonies in August.

And you know what? It's not even about honey. We won't be making honey for another few months. It is squarely for pollination, specifically, Almonds. And then on to cherries, and apples, and pears, and citrus, and blue berries, and canola, and zucchini, and kiwi, and watermelon, and cucumber, and sunflowers, and macadamia nuts......Well, we don't do all of that but we know guys that do!

Anyway- just wanted to let you know what bees are growing and looking awesome and will be heading to North West Vic next week to pollinate our beautiful almonds.