This week we started putting together our Apiary!
Since my last post, our bee suits have arrived and I'm pleased to say they go wonderfully with my new wellies, which is of course the most important thing! Our tools and polyhives have also arrived and Greg has spent many an evening disturbing the neighbours by hammering the frames together and swearing frequently whenever he missed the frames and hit his thumb! He also spent part of the weekend painting the nuc which is currently sat outside in our garden; Greg was hopeful we might catch a wild swarm (I think it unlikely myself but whatever makes him happy ...)
So, all of that means we're pretty much ready to go!
As I said in my last post, we've recently secured an apiary site and last weekend we spent levelling the land and marking out the layout we want to have.
Next on the 'to do' list is to put the fence posts up and lay some woodchips in the middle. Greg needs to make a hive stand and I need to organise planting for this year and plan what we're planting next year (we're hoping for wildflower meadow borders).
After that, all we need to do is put the hives in situ and await our bees which will hopefully be ready for us in July.
Update on my independent study: I read the books I set myself and am still on with watching the Norfolk Honey Company videos (there are so many!) but I do feel better equipped now. Just can't wait to get stuck in!
Keep an eye on our instagram @mysttreecider for our regular updates.
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