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Warmer Weather Please!
Last newsletter it started snowing and a month later, there are still spots of crusty snow around the county. This was the third coldest February on record, dating back to 1949 when they started keeping records. Who saw that coming, that scurvy rodent Phil didn't indicate anything like the deepfreeze we've been experiencing. It was kind of nice to push off work and watch it snow. I felt bad for the people who had to go to work, or the others that had to go to work because it snowed and they were needed.
As I write this news letter, the sun is shining and its actually starting to get light out early and stay light out late. Its still cold, but I will take the sun. Very soon, blooms will start opening up and bees will start booming, come on Spring, lets go!
Tales From the Hive
Its time for our annual potluck and silent auction this month. Make your favorite side dish, salad, or desert and head on out to the Sedro Woolley Senior Center, Thursday, March 4th, at 6:00 pm and have some good eats and win quality bee related items. There should be some beekeeping equipment, honey, soaps and lotions, in the past we had a cool quilt and I'll be donating a fire ring. Come on down and lets have some fun.
The apprenticeship class was a hit, I counted 51 new people taking the class and becoming members of our club. Despite cold weather and the first class being cancelled, the class is progressing quickly and the newest apprentices are about to receive their certificates and embark on a season of bee keeping. Good Luck!
Speaking of club membership, Seth informed me that only 50% of our club members are current on their dues...of which I am not one. Lets get our dues in this next meeting and become current members. It's $12 and if anyone cant afford it, talk to me or one of the other officers and we'll figure it out.
Our club is growing and something that needs to be thought about is Volunteerism. When we have events and opportunities to educate people about who we are and what we do, its always the same faces. We are a bee community and I believe have the ability to be a world class bee keeping club. That cant' happen though, unless everyone participates to shoulder the burden (which isn't much) and we become more hive minded. When its time to volunteer, raise your hand and do it. I guarantee it will always be an adventure and you will feel good for helping.
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Things to do this Month
- Order your Nucs! If your getting Nuc's from Seth he's got 250 already ordered and thinks he will have the ability to do a lot more, but don't take the chance, get at the top of the list. Those that have ordered and haven't made payment, do it. It takes a lot of resources to make all of these Nuc's, stress free beekeeper, stress free bees! They are $165 and will be available end of March, beginning of April, at a time of the bees choosing.
- Depending on how many colonies you plan on managing, get your appropriate sugar stores. Its still too cold to feed syrup, but before we know it, its going to warm up and they are going to need food and energy to build up so they can boom. Don't get caught with your pants down, do it now and then effortlessly feed them when they need it.
- Get your boxes, frames, lids and bottom boards in order. If you haven't cleaned up last years gear yet, do it. Think about your beekeeping goals and plan accordingly. Bottom board and lid for every colony you plan on keeping, 3, 4, 5 supers deep? I seem to do well with 3 supers and one or 2 shallow supers on top. The bottom 3 are the bees and the ones on top are mine. The shallows are a lot easier to handle, the deep supers are really heavy when they are full. Think about it and order now. If you wait until you need it, its too late and what your after is probably on back order.
- Check your mite count. I like screened bottom boards with a slot, to slide a plastic grid with one inch squares on it, underneath the hive. They are easy to slide in and out without gearing up and gives you a good idea of how many mites per inch you have. I purchased mine, but you can slide butcher paper or something light colored, that will highlight the mites. Always be on the lookout for mites and treat to stay ahead of them, if you get behind them it won't be good.
- Last but not least, check out this link that my girlfriend Amy sent me. I think the kid has a bright future in bee keeping! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9veIgt6jAc
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