Inspecting the Hive...

During the growing season, a bee hive needs to be inspected every 7-10 days to check on the health and well-being of the colony. Is the queen actively producing young? Are the workers collecting enough pollen and/or creating enough honey reserves for the community? Are the bees healthy?

Our bee hive only consist of a bottom super presently at this time as we started this year with a nuk box (a young colony divided from an already established colony).  So far only about half of the frames are 'bee busy'. As the weather warms, and more flower come into bloom (e.g. blackberry), the bees will quickly kill up the other frame - so long as the queen remains actively laying eggs.

We use a bee hive tool to separate the frames from one another - dislodging the build-up of propolis put there strategically by the bees. 

Each frame is inspected one by one. 

Busy, busy, busy bees!  The glistening open cells are honey in the picture below, there are also capped honey cells visible here, and capped brood.

I am so loving this!

Garlic Scape Deliciousness

Wondering what to do with garlic scapes this year? Try garlic scape pesto!

Take some scapes and cut them up to fit in a food processor.

Whiz them into small pieces. 

Add some olive oil (and salt), this will make the pieces even finer, and the consistency more creamy.

Then you got yourself pesto for whatever your fancy. We used it for pizza sauce last night!

Topped with some fresh organic pepperoni purchased locally. Then covered with fresh garden greens -both with different combinations of fresh tarragon, oregano, spinach, Japanese mustard, parsley, dill, cilantro, green onion...

Topped with more common pizza ingredients: mushrooms, tomatoes, cheese...

Mmmmmmmmmmmm.

Early Summer Harvest

Garden harvest time has kicked into full gear!

We have an abundant amount of scapes ready for harvest - and plenty to sell! We sell for $4 / bundle or 3 bundles for $10. (~10 scapes in a bundle). Great for pesto, pizza, stir fries and more!

Time to pick the red currants! We started with the black!

Picked peas yesterday! Today we'll shell them!

Raspberry madness has officially started! 

Soon I'll be calling on friends to pop over for a visit and a pick-em party!

I think making fruit pies are on the list this week!

We are still making gorgeous sensational salads for order! With about 20 ingredients that differ with what's available from week to week. ($10 / lb) 

Mmmm.... Time for a broccoli 'steam-fest'! 

The first taste of heaven every growing season (for me) happens when the first fresh tomato is plucked and popped directly into the mouth!

Stunning Garden Beauty!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Me thinks these pictures don't need words to describe their awesomeness! What do you think?  

Captured in the garden this week: 

Springtime Sunshine!

That sunshine break (past two weeks) this spring was super awesome!  We loved getting our outdoor spring cleaning done and enjoyed the beauty blossoming in our garden!

Our outdoor patio area is now set up and ready for BBQs! Come on over! 

Now let's see where the path to the garden leads...

Garden tea for two?

Awe...lilacs!

Lots getting started in the green house!

Tomatoes!  Peas!

Our garden Circle space is ready for conversations!

Cauliflower!

Celery!

Anis!

Sweet Sicily & Lady's Mantle!

Awe....roses!

Most of our trees are in flower now!

New archways are coming for some of the grapes. 

The other grapes have been finally trained up poles & wire.

Beautiful!

Finally...we've got Borage this year! The bees love it and it's edible! What better plant to have!

Calendula!   I've already started adding it in my Sensational Salads!

And the garden grows....