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?

In message , Ophelia
writes
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?


There are quite a few instances of this happening in other European
countries although I have not seen it in the UK. I guess it depends on
ease of accessibility to food source. A balcony on a flat in a small
rural town would be somewhat different to that in a high rise block in a
major industrially based city - even allowing for the greater awareness
of the green issue.
--
Gopher .... I know my place!
Deepest Dorset

"Gopher" wrote in message
...
In message , Ophelia
writes
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?


There are quite a few instances of this happening in other European
countries although I have not seen it in the UK. I guess it depends on
ease of accessibility to food source. A balcony on a flat in a small rural
town would be somewhat different to that in a high rise block in a major
industrially based city - even allowing for the greater awareness of the
green issue.

There was some mention of a food source, I didn't hear it all. I might look
on 'Listen Again' and see if I get hear it all.

How easy is it to acquire a bee colony, and from whom?

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

On 2009-08-05 09:40:01 +0100, "Ophelia" said:


"Gopher" wrote in message
...
In message , Ophelia
writes
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?


There are quite a few instances of this happening in other European
countries although I have not seen it in the UK. I guess it depends on
ease of accessibility to food source. A balcony on a flat in a small rural
town would be somewhat different to that in a high rise block in a major
industrially based city - even allowing for the greater awareness of the
green issue.

There was some mention of a food source, I didn't hear it all. I might look
on 'Listen Again' and see if I get hear it all.

How easy is it to acquire a bee colony, and from whom?

If you're out and about today, this week's Country Life has an article
on this very subject. Don't know if it's online yet.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics.
South Devon

"Ophelia" wrote in message
...
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?




I got stung by a bee yesterday. £3.50 for a jar of honey!

mark

"Martin" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:24:26 +0200, Martin wrote:

On Wed, 5 Aug 2009 07:55:26 +0100, "Ophelia"
wrote:

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?

Put the Beehaus next to the Egloo?

http://www.omlet.co.uk/products_serv....php?view=Bees

Well, well! Thank you for that

"Martin" wrote in message
...
You could enquire here. http://www.britishbee.org.uk/
http://www.britishbee.org.uk/getting_started.php

Thank you for these.

"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.

"mark" wrote in message
...

I got stung by a bee yesterday. £3.50 for a jar of honey!

hohoho !!!

"Sacha" wrote in message
...
If you're out and about today, this week's Country Life has an article on
this very subject. Don't know if it's online yet.

Excellent! I shall buy one in the morning, thank you.

"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.

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

On 2009-08-05 10:26:56 +0100, "mark" said:


"Ophelia" wrote in message
...
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?




I got stung by a bee yesterday. £3.50 for a jar of honey!

mark

Natural antibiotics and nourishment all for £3.50 - what more could one
ask for. ;-)
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics.
South Devon

"Martin" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 5 Aug 2009 11:19:15 +0100, Sacha wrote:

On 2009-08-05 10:26:56 +0100, "mark" said:


"Ophelia" wrote in message
...
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?




I got stung by a bee yesterday. £3.50 for a jar of honey!

mark

Natural antibiotics and nourishment all for £3.50 - what more could one
ask for. ;-)

Ambrosia?
--

Not keen on tinned rice thank you.

mark