JT's Honeybees & Blooms

06/25/2026

06/22/2026

Milkweed is starting to bloom! Did you know milkweed is toxic to spotted lanternfly?

06/21/2026

Slow but sure. It's coming together.

06/20/2026

On May 1st I obtained just over 500 lavender plugs from a Michigan grower. I knew that when they were ready, my land wouldn't be because we kept getting hit with excessive rain and of course it doesn't drain. I started working on mounds for the plants last fall, but never got them done. This week I got some help getting a huge portion finished. I potted those tiny plugs in 6" pots while they awaited the readiness of their new space. I'm very happy to see that deep within those pots, they were growing their roots! 374 planted. About 80 more to go. I did lose about 10%. Partially my fault for not providing enough water, partially the growers fault because they gave me a propagation tray instead of established plugs 🙄. Overall, looking good!!

06/19/2026

I went to a lot of work to sprout and grow yarrow for the bees and cut flowers. Then I discovered it growing wild on the property. Some flower farmers will forage for their fillers. Looks like I'll have plenty to forage!

06/19/2026

I'm keeping two colonies at a local orchard. I wasn't prepared to bring hives to another location. I was working a lot, beekeeping is crazy in the spring, but this gentleman in Erie was desperate to pollinate his apple trees. I brought a couple small hives over. I'll admit, it didn't all go well. And it's still a little shaky. I killed the first nuc. They overheated. Then I replaced it. It has an older queen who isn't exactly killing it. The other colony seemed great. It swarmed and now has a laying worker. Yesterday I added a very healthy nuc to boost it 🤞🤞 anyway, the owner of the orchard built me two beautiful lids for my hives. Demski's Apple Orchard

06/18/2026

When you trap their queen 👑 they go right to her. Why would a beekeeper trap a queen? To keep her safe while inspecting is just one reason.

06/16/2026

Five frame medium nuc! Overwintered queen - will pack into a jester nuc box for easy pickup. $150. Ida, MI. Please message for more info!

06/16/2026

Ten frame deep - 80% full. Queen is doing fantastic! Asking $200, includes hardware. Ida, MI. Message me for more info!

06/16/2026

Want to add to your apiary? 🐝 5-frame deep + 5 frame medium for sale. Building up nicely, new queen from overwintered stock.
$195. Ida, MI, please message for more info.