I have been pondering how to make best use of my garden, now that the chickens are [mostly] contained, and I am very conscious of the looming supply problems we will inevitably face thanks to the Russians invading Ukraine, one of our major grain producing areas in Europe. There's also the death throes of the …
How to Grow Bees
Yes. Growing bees. I had this thought on the way home from meeting my friend Paul, where we had been lamenting the problems of 'wildflower meadows' in community spaces, as he is masterminding in the churchyard at Winchelsea. The difficulty is that the public perception of a wildflower meadow is cornflowers, poppies, daisies, waving grasses, …
The Henclosure
I have always allowed my chickens to free-range, but the bird flu shenanigans last year made me reconsider how I could continue to let the have their outdoor space but in a more manageable way. In addition, the covid shenanigans have encouraged me to think more holistically about the garden and how to make it …
On the hunt for Ivy Bees
I am very fond of ivy bees, and I've a few big clumps of the plant in my garden and in places I walk past with the dog, so as soon as I hear they are out and about, I start scrutinising the flowers for this charming little species. As with many solitary bees, they …
Sowing Seeds
I thought I would get ahead of the game and purchase some seeds before I actually need them, but while I still have a sporting chance of actually getting hold of some. I went to Seed Co-operative and decided to pick some bee-bird-human friendly seeds in my bid to increase natural food for my wildlife. …
Unsustainable Beekeeping
I started my beekeeping journey back in 2009, when following a particularly interesting module of my Natural Sciences degree with the Open University, I learnt about superorganisms and eusociality, aka colonial insects. I realised that it was possible to keep one's very own social insects - honey bees! - but I quickly became confused and …
Summer Garden
I've been away for a week, and come back to find the Verbascum in full flow. It's a great plant, and bees and hoverflies love the tall spikes of exquisite little flowers. The buddleia is also in flower, as are the evening primrose - currently full of pollen beetles. I have masses of bindweed all …
New Look Wayward Bee
If you've been following me for a while, you'll notice a new layout for the website and possibly a few other changes too. As for most of us, the past 18 months have given me an opportunity to think about how best to use my resources and share my knowledge. Beekeeping has always been about …
No Mow…at all
I don't have a lawnmower, and use my numerous guinea pigs and rabbits to keep the lawn down. I only have two guineas and one bunny now though, and the lawn has rather taken over. I say lawn but my garden backs on to intensive arable fields so it's rough grass, and years of mole …
Moths and Ducks
We have just had the solstice here, although as often happens with the longest day, the cloud cover was so pronounced it wasn't particularly obvious! There has been copious rainfall, but at least the ducks are happy. I keep ducks mainly because they are always so enthusiastic and contented with rain and mud, unlike the …
Wayward Bee 