What is happening to the honeybees?

For the last couple years, bee colonies have been collapsing in North America. From the information out there, it appears that this phenomenon could seriously affect our food supply. It is not just a problem in North America, however, countries all over the world have been reporting bee shortages.

Bees are extremely important in many crops such as almonds, berries and other fruits and vegetables; in the United States, honeybee pollination activities are estimated to add about $15-billion (U.S.) a year. It is clear that this is something that is causing fear and worry, and unfortunately, the cause is unknown. There are many theories as to why the bees are disappearing, but these are only theories.

I have a beautiful, white flowering shrub at the front of my house. Yesterday, I noticed that there was an unbelievable number of honeybees feasting on the flowers. I am happy that my gardens are able to provide for these bees. It seems like I am seeing and thinking about bees a lot these days. Just the other day, a co-worker offered me some tips for my pepper plants. She told me to put some honey on the blossoms and it will attract bees, making for more fruit. I don't know if this is accurate or not, but I thought it was interesting considering the interest I have taken in bees.

So, I don't know if there is much I can do to help the bees, but I will try my best to keep my garden blooming well for them....

New idea for my carrots

For some reason my carrots are not thriving in my raised bed (on-ground), so I planted some in planters where I put some nasturtiums. I hope that they are compatible. I feel like I am running out of time this summer to get my carrots going, so I thought I would try this. Also, it didn't help that we had really big hail the other night....it tore apart my lettuce plants and ripped off some branches on my tomatoes. But, the tomatoes seem ok, but my lettuce is hurting. I am going to plant some more lettuce as well.

I am trying not to obsess about the plants that are not doing well...carrots and now my lettuce. My cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers are growing well, so I am concentrating on that. It is easy to get frustrated, but I am new at this.

I will be posting pictures this week....

Carrots not growing

So...I am having a problem. I keep planting carrots, and while a lot of them come up....they mysteriously disappear. I don't know if bugs are eating them, but I have put mesh around my garden to keep rabbits and small animals out. Could it be birds? If so, I don't know why they aren't eating my lettuce and cucumbers. I don't know what is going on. It is very frustrating. I am going to plant a couple more rows and then see what happens. I wonder if anyone else has this problem?

Garden progress

So...it has been a little while since I posted last. Lots going on though...and I went away for a week. I left my budding garden in the care of a friend while I was away. It survived....only it looks like two of my pepper seedlings were eaten by something. Luckily I had started a lot.

My front yard had changed a lot in the week I was gone. My purple columbines bloomed, my yellow tulips had a feathered red colour at the petal ends, lilacs were in full bloom as well as some white flowering shrubs with an unknown name.

My backyard has also changed...I had planted some hostas that my mom gave me before I went away. They were doing great, lilacs, magnolia, pink flowering shrub and bleeding hearts.























I am going to plant the rest of my nasturtium seeds in planters this weekend as well as my morning glories. There is supposed to be beautiful weather this weekend (maybe a bit on the hot side).....so I am looking forward to it.