Wednesday 30 January 2013

B is for Bees and C is for Course.

Well I guess you have all figured out now that I am quite keen to keep bees. But not just honey bees. I want to help all the bees and so create an environment that they could all live in together. With this in mind I have been researching the different sort of homes that bees like to dwell in and so for Christmas I received a wonderful solitary bee hive.

A Solitary Bee Hive
A Solitary Bee Hive
Solitary bees live alone and like to find a crack that they can go into and lay one egg and they will then spend the summer looking for nectar to put inside for the egg. At the end of the season they seal this and the new bee hatches out the following year. Although you don't get honey from solitary bees they are just as important for pollinating crops as are the bumble bees who do live in a colony but not large enough to create enough comb and honey for us to eat. 
The best thing about solitary bees is that they are non-aggressive and have no stings. This makes them great little pollinators to attract to your gardens if you have children...or even for schools to think about putting in their nature and sensory gardens.

As for courses.......

Bee Keeping Course in Grantham.
Bee Keeping Course in Grantham.


I have signed up for the above course. It doesn't start until April but I am quite looking forward to it. I don't have to go onto a course but there is quite a lot to learn about keeping bees so I figured this was the way to go. As I had signed up for the course I was invited to a meeting of the Grantham Beekeepers Association which took place last night so I popped down and met a few Beekeepers and also a few others that have signed up for the course. They were a friendly bunch with a lot of knowledge to share and I was given lots to think about. It was here that I asked about keeping different sorts of bees in close proximity and I found out that one of the bee keepers actually had bumble and honey bees residing in the same hive and did so in harmony all of last summer.

I was given plenty of information on what I would need and what sort of places to go to to purchase my items. There is a lot to get but I am not in a rush as I want to take time getting equipment that is right for me and my bees and have a lot of things to sort through.

On a totally different note, we have a village lick magazine delivered once a month. It isn't something you subscribe to and it is delivered free to our doors. Inside it is a 'Barrowby News' section and my blog got a little mention which was really nice so if any of you reading this are from the local area thank for coming by and I hoped you enjoyed my ramblings and visit again!!
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16 comments:

  1. It's a great idea to meet people who will be on the course with you, and also experienced bee keepers too. It's always good to have a contact or two in case you need to ask any questions. I didn't know that different types of bees could live together, I'm sure I'm going to learn lots about bees on your blog.

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    1. I think you all might get fed up with the subject before I'm finished..lol

      The more I look into things the more I grow to the idea!!

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  2. Hi, thanks for stopping by my blog. It sounds like you are in for a very interesting hobby.

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    1. Thanks for visiting. I am finding it very interesting so far....a lot of planning to do but I think it's going to be worth it!!

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  3. You're becoming famous Tanya.

    Will you be also growing a nectar bank for your bees?

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    1. I'm not so sure about famous Sue...to be honest I kind of like going unnoticed!!

      I'm not sure what you mean by a nectar bank Sue??

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    2. Just a border a nectar rich flowers

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    3. In that case definitely...although I don't want to reveal too much just now but I have some great ideas on what I want to do with my new bit of allotment....it will be all about the bees though!!

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  4. This sounds really fascinating. I look forward to reading how things work out

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    1. Thanks Ann...I'm sure I will drive everyone crazy with the things I find out!!

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  5. Get that lemon balm sown this spring. (Can't remember if you have any already). When I visited the national thyme collection years ago the biggest impression I came away with was how keen the bees were on them!

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    1. I have some lemon balm a t home but thanks for the tip...I shall now be splitting it and getting some up the allotment too Mal!!

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  6. oh how fun!! I would love love love to learn this course. have fun and good luck! I 'll look forward to reading about it!

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  7. I've neve heard of a solitary bee hive before? Do you maintain it in anyway? Like the sound of it! I've often thought of bee keeping, it's yet another thing on my list of 'wouldn't it be luverly' things! Think I would definitely go on a course first though, seems a good idea! Good luck!

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  8. Love the look of your solitary bee hive and I hope your residents move in asap :) Whoever gave you it at Christmas is a very thoughtful person.

    I bet you are so excited to start your course in April...only around 8 weeks to go!

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    1. I got it from my sister...along with a book about bees. Also got another book from my plot neighbour and friend.

      Very excited...and probably a little apprehensive too. Definitely going to be worth it though!!

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keep it clean...keep it relevant...I look forward to reading your comments!!