The trees and the Bees

Our order of trees came in yesterday, from Stark bros. I am very impressed with their size and the concord grapes were just as impressive. The children and I quickly opened the large box to inspect my new mini orchard supplies. I checked over the shipping list and inspected all the contents. Everything was there and impatience set in. We ran up to the garden and scoped out where we should plant the grapes. We all decided before, that we were to plant a rose bush above where Dawg is buried. His grave was mistakenly incorporated into the garden when Tractor boy came over to till with the tractor.

When we buried him, it was in an old cooler and deep down a good 5 feet. The Captain was so worried an animal would disturb his grave and the upset it would cause all of us if it were to happen. He is still sorely missed by everyone.

We decided that the grapes were to go on the east side of the garden and lined up on the south to north. One of them will mark Dawgs place. Forever (well for a very long time anyway) leaving it undisturbed from future residents.

The trees will be planted this weekend to make up our mini orchard by the barnyard.

And our "Bee Man" came by today with the hive set up! I was in pure bliss. Trees and Bees!

This hive did not survive the winter and will get its new occupants on May 7th. The bee order was pushed up on the date, due to not enough orders for the organization he orders with.

The hive is a 9 frame set up. Bee man (or "B" man haha) said this gives more honey due to better spacing (do not quote me, since I was on my euphoria high still). He uses organic methods in his bee keeping, much to my happiness. The hive has not been cleaned out as of yet from it's last occupants, as you can see from this picture:

The dark Bee's wax is from old age, not pesticides. He will be replacing the wax soon and said I could have the old wax for candles or such. YAY! I will be making rolled candles from it plus some lip balm among other things.

This is our "B" Man with the hive:

Such a nice guy. he brought his daughter out with him and the kids played while we chatted. They are a homeschooling family and live just 5 minutes away.

I am so happy to have found them and even better they are so close.

I sent him home with a dozen eggs, mixed of the banties, Dr. Seuss, and of course a few of (our muscovy duck) Bonnie's eggs. The duck eggs prevented the carton from closing and appeared massive next to the dainty Bantam eggs.

So much excitement is buzzing in the air at our little farmette. Bee's and tree's.What a day.
Sweet dreams,

~Tammie