20,000 bees recaptured!
At this time of year beekeeping often takes precedence over gardening, particularly when we spot a swarm in the orchard. The first swarm of the season has been caught in a skep (basket) and carefully hived. Rather than shaking the bees into their new home we ‘walked’ them in. This involved placing a board covered in a white sheet against the hive entrance to create a ramp, then gently tipping the bees onto it. It was fascinating to watch around 20,000 bees re-orientate themselves and walk en-masse into the hive. Luckily in swarming mode they’re fairly placid so tolerated our presence as we quietly observed them. Back in the garden, many of my favourite plants are flowering at the moment, the borders are filling out with aquilegia, lupins, delphiniums, sweet rocket and perennial cornflower. Bearded iris ‘English Cottage’ has a wonderfully scented white flower edged with pale lavender and is now flowering along with Iris ‘Sable’, which I grow for its beautiful deep purple flower, although sadly this one has no scent.
Hardy geranium ‘Mary Mottram’ is slowly spreading in the garden and has a pretty white flower. The wisteria has been flowering for weeks, the scent wafting in through open windows is intoxicating. I have been planting out half hardy annuals in the new formal area to fill up the gaps, including antirrhinum, zinnias, cosmos and cerinthe, and there are also self-set nigella and calendula left over from last year’s cut flower patch. Lavender mint is also growing here, which will look good in among the roses.
In the vegetable patch I’ve sown more lettuce, carrots and parsnips and leeks germinated in modules have been planted out. Broad beans are flowering and much visited by both honey and bumblebees, hopefully we will have a good crop.
Tales from a Country Garden 