Seeing something for the first time - Honey Bees swarming around - Page 3

babice · June 23, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by delltraveller

Ditto on the absence of hummingbirds here. Also, no monarch butterflies. The milkweed and butterfly weed are blooming, but nary a monarch in sight.

Yay! I went to the nusery yesterday and just happened upon a great sale they were having on perrenials. Spotted some bee balm, russian sage and few other things I was hoping would help attract some bennies into the vicinity of my toms.

Behold - today I saw a few bees and I also just saw a ruby-throated hummingbird going to town on the russian sage. Saw a couple small butterflies today but no Monarchs yet nor any black swallowtails. Interestingly, Balt Oriole is still hanging around. Actually, DH says it's actually 3 different males he's seen out there and he's seen at least 1 female. Been having to replace the oranges daily.

p.s. I realized that one of the reasons I didn't have a good year last year is likely due to poor pollination -- I remember lots of yellow flowers but not many resultant toms. That's why I'm trying hard to get bennies in the area, besides the fact that it's good for the environment.

Rockporter · June 26, 2012

This is an interesting thread, I too have seen many bees on my basil and I couldn't for the life of me get any bees to my garden last year.

I have a basil planted for each tomato plant, except the Dwarfs I just planted (I need to plant some seeds in there) and there are bees everywhere on each of the basil plants.

I was going to pick my cherry tomatoes and decided to wait because there must have been at least 20 bees on my basils planted under the cherries.

Elizabeth · June 26, 2012

I have several large trailing rosemary plants hanging over one of my terraces - rosemary has some blooms year around here so I always have bees in my yard - they love the stuff! I think I'll set up a couple of drinking stations too so they come to visit more often, and with luck it will prevent them from committing suicide in the pool when the cover is open.

Last year the bee population was really down in our area. The only squash I got were hand pollinated, it looks like there are a lot more bees this year so that bodes well for all the cucurbits. Our hummer population is way down this year. We have noticed more raptors in the area so I guess it's possible the hawks are snacking on hummers (bummer, I wish they would stick to gophers). This is the first time in the 6 years we have been in this house that we don't have a hummer nest in the yard

Ken4230 · June 27, 2012

Someone has placed two hives on a TVA drainage ditch easement about 25 yards from my garden. I'm loving it although it has become impossible to keep my hummingbird feeder full. They rule the roost over the hummers, forcing them to wait to get a drink. I've been feeding them local honey off my fingertips. Wish I knew how to post pictures, I would take some and post them.

Ken

babice · June 27, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken4230

Wish I knew how to post pictures, I would take some and post them.

Ken

Oh my gosh!!

Wow! For real - take some pics! We'll walk you thru posting. It's easy (if I figured it out, I promise you...that means it's easy).

June 26, 2012	#32
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	This is an interesting thread, I too have seen many bees on my basil and I couldn't for the life of me get any bees to my garden last year. I have a basil planted for each tomato plant, except the Dwarfs I just planted (I need to plant some seeds in there) and there are bees everywhere on each of the basil plants. I was going to pick my cherry tomatoes and decided to wait because there must have been at least 20 bees on my basils planted under the cherries. __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

June 26, 2012	#33
Elizabeth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Coastal - Zone 10b Posts: 204	I have several large trailing rosemary plants hanging over one of my terraces - rosemary has some blooms year around here so I always have bees in my yard - they love the stuff! I think I'll set up a couple of drinking stations too so they come to visit more often, and with luck it will prevent them from committing suicide in the pool when the cover is open. Last year the bee population was really down in our area. The only squash I got were hand pollinated, it looks like there are a lot more bees this year so that bodes well for all the cucurbits. Our hummer population is way down this year. We have noticed more raptors in the area so I guess it's possible the hawks are snacking on hummers (bummer, I wish they would stick to gophers). This is the first time in the 6 years we have been in this house that we don't have a hummer nest in the yard __________________ Elizabeth If I'm going to water and care for a plant it had better give me food, flowers or shade.

June 27, 2012	#34
Ken4230 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Western Ky Posts: 282	I have an excess of bees this year Someone has placed two hives on a TVA drainage ditch easement about 25 yards from my garden. I'm loving it although it has become impossible to keep my hummingbird feeder full. They rule the roost over the hummers, forcing them to wait to get a drink. I've been feeding them local honey off my fingertips. Wish I knew how to post pictures, I would take some and post them. Ken