Slog

I've made a start clearing Area 51. Bloody back-breaking I can tell you. The lack on attention over the past two months has meant I've had to don my jungle fatigues and machete my way through the bush again, just like I did when I first took the plot on.

No mucking about this time though. All I'm putting on here are my bees and a huge flower bed in one long row. A smorgasbord of nectar for the little fellows to feast on. Perennials, lavenders, chives,wild flowers etc will form a plot long row in front of the hives.

What's really worrying me, and it's something I've taken especial note of just lately, is the lack of honey bees on the flowers that are blooming. Yes, there are loads of bumblebees of every species getting drunk on the lupins, and wildflowers dotted about the plot, but I have yet to see a honey bee this year on any of the flowers.

I know that there are plenty of nectar rich sources in the numerous hedgerows this time of year and I'm hoping they're all gorging themselves on that. Any of you seen much of the honey bee so far?

Area 51

It's exasperating. All you hear about these days in the 'grown your own' mags and the Hugh FW tele shows is the lack of garden space for dig hungry thirty somethings to get their green fingers into. Waiting lists abound and tens or even hundred of thousands of people are eagerly and forlornly waiting for a chance to get a plot. Many end up waiting ten years or more to get some ground.
Yet two months ago I decided to let one of my plots go to someone to have a chance of growing some veg, and guess what? Despite there being over a dozen folk on our allotment waiting list and about six gardens being made vacant this year, hardly anyone has bothered to take them on. We had a few ploughed to give the newcomers a good start but still nothing. When I got my plot a couple of years ago, I couldn't wait to get started!

Maybe the 'well rotted horse' has put them off?

 Anyway, as the garden I'd originally given up is getting so overgrown and rapidly reverting back to dense jungle, I've taken it back. This will be another orchard I can just mow but will have beehives dotted about instead of chicken coops.
Should look nice with a few flower beds etc. but it is a shame someone like Adam the Gardener didn't take it on.