Friday, April 30, 2010

Beeamboo


Here's my ... huh ... what the heck is that?



Could it bee my latest version of a Motel 6 for the tiny bees and wasps that do alot of important pollinating for us?





Could bee!





I hope the little pollinators like this version, 'cause I do.



I'll let you know how it goes of course.





With honey bees greatly reduced in number, I am trying to make it as easy as possible for the other native pollinators to keep their populations high around here.

If you're new to this concept, it's real simple.
A whole bunch of our tiny, native pollinating wasps and bees use reeds and other stems for egg laying. The idea behind the bee house above is to provide them with lots of snug nesting sites.
Simple.





Don't know if it is truly having an effect, but I know this:





A. The old bee houses I put up are used heavily.








B. My blueberry crop is a record breaking one this year.

The cluster above is a good one, but there are others where there is no space between the berries. I expect them to have flattened sides from being squished against each other.

The early varieties are already blushing too.

It won't belong before I'm boring you with, "LOOK AT MY BLUEBERRIES" posts.

12 comments:

Doug Taron said...

Awesome bee house design. I keep meaning to make something like that for my yard.

threecollie said...

I am not bored by your blueberries...just wildly jealous. Alan and I were out in the old orchard this morning...and we thought of you and your bee houses when we saw bunches of native bees of assorted kinds pollinating the apple blossoms.

Deb said...

Wow...if only growing blueberries was that easy here!

LibraryGirl62 said...

I will never bee (get it, Bee) bored by the blueberries-now, jealous....whole different story!

Felicia said...

Great idea and design! Now I'm wondering what blueberry blossom honey tastes like...

robin andrea said...

Great bee house design. I'm sure they're going to love it. Awesome blueberries. They're in our plan for next year.

amarkonmywall said...

I love your bee house! I am certain you could supplement your meager teacher's salary with bee house sales, no problem. In fact, I can think of one customer right off the bat...

Pablo said...

You could never bore me with your posts. I wonder how long those tubes need to be. Could you literally cut that one in half and provide twice the hotel space for the bees and wasps? Or do they need some distance that the length provides?

jean said...

Excellent idea for the bee nest. And add me to the list of jealous people who want your blueberries.

MamaHen said...

I need to make some of those bee nests too as I rarely see honeybees around here anymore.
OK, question about your blueberries: how many plants do you have and how many quarts of berries would you say you get in a (normal) season? I just bought 2 plants and wonder if that is enough for just me? I just like to cook with them occasionally.

Ericka said...

mason bees have moved INTO my aunt's house. she is torn 'cause she was glad to see them but it's her HOUSE.

ooh, blueberries. only a little longer here. i'm going to pick strawberries tomorrow. yum!

R.Powers said...

Doug,
Thanks bug guy. I pictured your place festooned with buggy things like this.

Three Collie,
I keep reading how our native bees are more active pollinators than even honeys.

Deb,
Here's where I could lie and say it's really tough, but I am a blueberry expert.
The truth is ... they are the most carefree fruit down here.

LibGirl,
Blue with envy?
LOL

Felicia,
I never thought about that. There are a heck of a lot of blueberry farms in the surrounding area. Some honey farmer may be selling it.


Robin,
I guess you will plant this fall?

Vicki,
I thought about a little side ad on PF. The datil seeds are starting to run low. Look pretty good on a mountain home.


Pablo,
Thanks! I think these bees make multiple egg chambers in a reed so, at some point they might be too short. These are 6 inches long.

Jean,
Thanks! I will try not to gloat too much as they ripen!

Annie,
I have about 12 really big, overhead bushes and about 6 new, smaller ones that will be producing for the first time this year. On a good year I probably get several quarts from a larger bush.Hard to say exactly cause I eat them while picking.


Ericka,
Yup, you have to draw the line somewhere! Hope the strawberry picking went well!