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Bees
On 2009-08-05 07:55:26 +0100, "Ophelia" said:
A report on radio4 this morning, asking people to keep a bee colony in their gardens and even on a balcony (for example) for city dwellers. How practical is this? You can buy bee boxes for bumble bees and put them up as instructed. It doesn't have to be a honey bee colony. Three species of bumble bees are now extinct. ;-( -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
#2
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Bees
"Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-08-05 07:55:26 +0100, "Ophelia" said: A report on radio4 this morning, asking people to keep a bee colony in their gardens and even on a balcony (for example) for city dwellers. How practical is this? You can buy bee boxes for bumble bees and put them up as instructed. It doesn't have to be a honey bee colony. Three species of bumble bees are now extinct. ;-( Interesting! I didn't know! Thank you. |
#3
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Bees
"Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-08-05 07:55:26 +0100, "Ophelia" said: A report on radio4 this morning, asking people to keep a bee colony in their gardens and even on a balcony (for example) for city dwellers. How practical is this? You can buy bee boxes for bumble bees and put them up as instructed. It doesn't have to be a honey bee colony. Three species of bumble bees are now extinct. ;-( Interesting! I didn't know! I suspect that is the type I shall look for. Thank you. |
#4
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Bees
In message , Sacha
wrote On 2009-08-05 07:55:26 +0100, "Ophelia" said: A report on radio4 this morning, asking people to keep a bee colony in their gardens and even on a balcony (for example) for city dwellers. How practical is this? You can buy bee boxes for bumble bees and put them up as instructed. It doesn't have to be a honey bee colony. Three species of bumble bees are now extinct. ;-( And then there is the red or blue mason bee. I have 200 tubes (800 to 1000 bees) of these waiting until next spring. http://www.admac.myzen.co.uk/bee/ http://www.buckingham-nurseries.co.uk/acatalog/Mason_Bee_FAQ.html -- Alan news2009 {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk |
#5
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Bees
"Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2009-08-05 07:55:26 +0100, "Ophelia" said: A report on radio4 this morning, asking people to keep a bee colony in their gardens and even on a balcony (for example) for city dwellers. How practical is this? You can buy bee boxes for bumble bees and put them up as instructed. It doesn't have to be a honey bee colony. Three species of bumble bees are now extinct. ;-( -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon I have put a bumble bee nest in the garden - I was too late for a queen to take up residence this year. Hopefully it will get use next year. I do, however, have a colony of bumble bees in a cavity wall. As they are entirely beneficial and remarkably docile creatures, I'm quite happy to have them there. There are far fewer honey bees around than 'normal' this year, but *lots* of bummlers. I do like bummlers. Plus I've got miner bees in the garden, which I leave to get on with things too. The bummlers are being very good at pollinating my beans, tomatoes, courgettes & squashes. I'd love to have a hive of honey bees, but I do not have the space to put it somewhere where they can take up residence without causing hassle to passers-by or me. If I had more space, I'd love to take up beekeeping. So those of us with gardens can make space for all sorts of pollinating insects even if we can't keep honey bees. We must also remember to make sure that what we plant will also supply food for the bees - so a variety of plants is a good idea. As well as my veggies, I've got buddlhia (sp?), lilac, sunflowers, wisteria, calendula, viburnum, lavatera, honeysuckle, mint, thyme, sage, chives... all sorts out there, so they've a fair bit to choose from over many months. Also I do not use any form of pesticide, and most especially not the systemic ones which are a possible cause of CCD in honey bees. |
#6
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Bees
wafflycat wrote:
I have put a bumble bee nest in the garden - I was too late for a queen to take up residence this year. Hopefully it will get use next year. I do, however, have a colony of bumble bees in a cavity wall. As they are entirely beneficial and remarkably docile creatures, I'm quite happy to have them there. There are far fewer honey bees around than 'normal' this year, but *lots* of bummlers. I do like bummlers. Plus I've got miner bees in the garden, which I leave to get on with things too. The bummlers are being very good at pollinating my beans, tomatoes, courgettes & squashes. I'd love to have a hive of honey bees, but I do not have the space to put it somewhere where they can take up residence without causing hassle to passers-by or me. If I had more space, I'd love to take up beekeeping. So those of us with gardens can make space for all sorts of pollinating insects even if we can't keep honey bees. We must also remember to make sure that what we plant will also supply food for the bees - so a variety of plants is a good idea. As well as my veggies, I've got buddlhia (sp?), lilac, sunflowers, wisteria, calendula, viburnum, lavatera, honeysuckle, mint, thyme, sage, chives... all sorts out there, so they've a fair bit to choose from over many months. Also I do not use any form of pesticide, and most especially not the systemic ones which are a possible cause of CCD in honey bees. Excellent post! Thank you |
#7
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Bees
On 2009-08-05 10:32:01 +0100, Martin said:
On Wed, 5 Aug 2009 09:59:41 +0100, Sacha wrote: On 2009-08-05 07:55:26 +0100, "Ophelia" said: A report on radio4 this morning, asking people to keep a bee colony in their gardens and even on a balcony (for example) for city dwellers. How practical is this? You can buy bee boxes for bumble bees and put them up as instructed. It doesn't have to be a honey bee colony. Three species of bumble bees are now extinct. ;-( Don't bumble bees live a lonely life in holes? No, apparently they live in smallish colonies. Some bees are known as 'solitary bees' for good reason. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics. South Devon |
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