West Coast Chill

EquiFlora Winter Sky

We have been experiencing mild wet weather for the past few weeks. Not long ago we had a couple of days over 10 degrees centigrade. Today is a different story ...snow and -8.... quite a shock to the senses. I am glad the hives are sporting their winter wear; insulation, quilt boxes, sugar blocks and protection from precipitation be it rain or snow.

Nucleus row in winter clothes

Nucleus hives in winter clothes

When preparing the hives it always seems premature...sunny days, warm weather flying and quilt boxes. Yet when the cold snap comes I am always grateful the work has been done.

Hives with precipitation roof

Some beekeepers are toying with thermal cameras that piggy back on their I Phones (Flir One and Seek). The idea is to pick up heat generated within the hives...the more heat their is the healthier the hive is. The only issue is that I am not yet certain what, if anything, you can do about the cool, bee weak or beeless, hive in the cold of winter. I guess for some just knowing is some sort of comfort.

This is our first year attempting to over winter a top bar hive. We started it last July and they managed to make 10 bars before the summer dearth set in. The hive is wrapped in silver coated bubble wrap insulation...I think it is intended to insulate water heaters. It also has a metal roof, a wooden divider placed after a sugar block and a saw dust quilt in the unoccupied section. The tarp hangs over the occupied portion o the hive. Sacking acts as a wind break on the west end. Fingers crossed that they will survive.

TBH with winter clothing

Despite the cold weather we still enjoy the outdoor ovens and fireplaces. Last night Ryan fired them up. He cooked chicken, carrots, potatoes and yams on the Tandoor oven. With the fireplaces burning cheerily we were toasty warm out in the fresh air enjoying our meal.

Cob Wall Fireplace

Cob Fireplace

Winter is also the time Jen and Ryan lay the ground work for new Hugel gardens. Logs, branches and twigs from tree trimmings make up the Hugel skeleton. Humans work whilst bees cluster!

A hugel in progress

To learn more about Hugel gardens and cob works please visit Jen's webpage .