The winter squash and pumpkin plants are blooming and the bees are having a field day. The honey bees and native bees go into the large blossoms and come out covered in pollen from head to toe. Some bees even have a hard time flying because they are so loaded with pollen, the extra weight makes them sway to and fro as they head back to the hive.
In seasons past I had to depend solely on native pollinators to visit all the blossoms in the field. But last autumn, I found a beekeeper you was interested in placing one of his hives at the farm. The single hive did so well over the winter, that this spring the beekeeper split it into two hives. Now with two hives on the farm there are beautiful bees everywhere. I’ve noticed an increase in fruit production on all the crops. The worker bees are working hard for the farm.
Great article (as usual). I have oregano in full bloom that could sure use pruning BUT I cannot due to all of the honeybees! They are lovin’ it.
Happy to hear the bees are doing well and have contributed to your farm.