The Buzz
August 2009 update
Wow -- a great honey harvest was the result of dedicated members' hard work...
Sunday August 30th was a big day for the garden, the bees, the kids, the
beekeepers and members whose incredible efforts produced a great product!
Visit Green Oasis to purchase a jar and support the garden!
July 2008 update
Our new adopted hives are here, and the first honey has been harvested.
Members are invited to pick up their honey!
May 2008 update
Per beekeper Andrew:
"The hives are tilted forward to prevent rain water and condensation
(up to 80,000 little breathing souls) from making the hive unduly
wet. In the summer it is important but in the winter it is vital that hive
be tilted slightly forward."
"The leaves and twigs and so on are there because we moved the hives,
but we moved them within a three mile radius. Had we moved them farther
than three miles (which is the maximum flight range of the foragers) then
we would not have had to stuff the mouths of the hives with the branches.
Because we did move them within that range, we had to ensure that the
foragers (those worker bees who go out and gather nectar and pollen during
the second half of their six week life span) would readjust their idea of where
home is. If we did not change their flight pattern, they would leave the hive,
forage, and then return to the old spot, and die there, not knowing where
else to go. By altering their departure they recalculate where they are
(using the magnetic pull of the Earth and the sun) and hopefully they
will return to exactly their own hive, relocated."
So there you go! Andrew is building sturdy bases for the hives and
hopes to have them ready by the next inspection on June 1. He and
the other beekeepers didn't see either queen but they did see plenty
of eggs and brood in both hives, so the queens are definitely there and
doing their jobs. They hives in pretty good shape, considering the cool,
rainy spring, and Andrew expects we will be able to harvest honey this fall.
Andrew sells honey at Union Square on Wednesdays and Tompkins
Square on Sundays, and he'll be happy to talk to you about
bees and bee-keeping generally.
Here's his website: http://www.cthoney.com/And here's a Food Network blurb about his non-profit, Bees Without Borders:
April 2008 update
Hive D has replaced their queen. The Beekeepers will come to the next meeting (May 4) and are still considering moving the hives. There was a suggestion to build a simple pulley system. We will share the beekeepers' schedule with everyone and we encourage all to get involved. It's fantastic and incredible.
On April 13, we all had a chance to taste some honey later in the day right from the frame!!! and it was fantastic! Keep those allergies at bay, some say...
*
October 2007 update...
Some helpsters preparing hives for winter...who wore long pants!
* June 2007 update. . .
Yesterday (6-24) was a hive-inspection day and I ran into the beekeepers as they were leaving. Our hives are thriving! All ten frames in the original Hive D super are full, so they added another super. (These are the painted boxes that hold the frames where the bees actually live.) Hive C looks like they'll fill up the original super within the next couple of weeks. Lots of eggs, larvae, and capped brood and LOTS of honey in both hives, all of which is good news.
This first year with the bees, our goal is to build up the population
in the hives and the honey stores they'll need to get through the
winter; once each hive fills up two supers, we'll start adding on
smaller supers that will contain honey for us. We may actually be able to harvest honey this year! If not, next year!
As always, anyone who's interested in visiting the hives during an inspection is welcome to sign up on the calendar in the garden. The inspections take place every other Sunday, usually at 1 pm.