Because we live in a high risk wild fire area, we are required to clear any weeds, brush, and dead trim limbs within 100 feet of any structure. So we spent quite a bit of time this week mowing, using the weedeater, and cleaning up everything after the winter snows and rain. Not very exciting homesteading stuff, but it's the kind of thing that has to be done. The reward is how nice everything looks when it's finished!
I went into my hive again this past weekend (no bee stings!!). I needed to see if the bees were actually drawing comb on those hive frames I rigged with an extra bar and stip of beeswax. Take a look at the very first frame in the box...
Woo hoo! Look at that beautiful comb! Nicely done, bee girls. And that's not all! The bees actually filled out three other frames that I didn't remove because I wasn't sure if I should break it apart or not. Since it's foundationless, sometimes the bees get a little excited and build up comb where you don't really want it.
I'm still learning, but apparently, I need to break them apart at some point and either wire the comb in or not break it apart and move them to the outer edge. I didn't see the queen this time, but I'm fairly confident she was in the middle of that big comb area. I could use some sage advice from anyone who has been beekeeping a while and done it foundationless. Be sure to share your thoughts.
What's happening at your homestead? Join me and the other Homestead Barn Hop hostesses and link up to help cultivate the Homestead Community.
Jill @ The Prairie Homestead
Kendra @ New Life on a Homestead
Megan @ A Blossoming Homestead
Megan @ A Blossoming Homestead
1. Write a blog post about what's going on at your homestead or a post on something you're learning or an item of interest that will benefit the homesteading community. Be sure to add the red barn button and link back here so others can join in the fun.
2. Come back here and enter your information in the Linky. Please be sure to link to your actual post (click your title and then copy the URL above) and not your home page so those participating later in the week can find your post easily.
3. If you don't have a blog, leave a comment and tell us what's going on at your homestead!
I'm so thankful for everyone who has prayed and contributed to help the Lee and Crawford families who have been a part of this very blog hop. Who knew just a few weeks ago that we'd need each other in such a dramatic way? Having a loving community, both local and via internet, is truly a blessing! (If you would like to help, click here).


Hello! I've shared some Herbal Medicine Chest posts from the end of the series in the past but today I'm goin g back to the beginning. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteAmy, It's wonderful and absolutely amazing to see how well they're doing! Yippee!!
ReplyDelete~Andrea~
Your bees are doing so good!! That was quick work...it's beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a blog, but wanted to share about our morel mushroom hunt yesterday. We've finally had a couple of decent weather days here in North Idaho and decided to see if we could find any of these little jewels. Our family loves to go looking for morels, especially my girls. It's like a treasure hunt in the woods. It appears we're going to have a bumper crop this year because we found over 100 in under an hour...a new record for us. :) We've already eaten about half of them, but we're drying the rest. Time to gather some more!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry - I didnt mean to post my link twice. I would love to have bees, but hubby refuses to allow it. I'm lucky we had a pot bellied pig, a puppy and now, chicks!
ReplyDeleteI love honey. Glad to join the hop today!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! Love doing the barnhop and look forward to having some reading time in the next few weeks to share. Might just be one of the good things I have to find about being down for a few weeks after an upcoming surgery :(. Anyhow, just wanted to let you know I linked to your blog in my post also referring to your blog and homemade detergent recipes! Don't think you'll mind, but wanted to let you know either way! Thanks for the great posts! Have a blessed week!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting, Amy. :-) The bee hive is looking good. (No doubt the bees are busy indeed. ;-)
ReplyDeleteToday I've linked up a post about parsnips, which are a wonderful (and often overlooked) vegetable for the garden. I always include them in my garden because they overwinter right in the soil and we dig them up in spring when other veggies are scarce. It was tough digging this year because of all the mud, but they were still delicious!
Laurie, I LOVE parsnips! I really should try to plant some. Are they similar to carrots when it comes to growing needs?
ReplyDeleteYes - parsnips are very similar to carrots, just a little slower to germinate and their roots can get REALLY deep. A little extra patience planting and digging is required. I make sure to mark my rows well and not give up on them.
ReplyDeleteLovely bee comb!
ReplyDelete