Greens in the ground!

Yesterday was mild here in central Maine, with temperatures reaching 50° so I seized the opportunity to get a jump on the season. I managed to get a few seeds in the ground inside my trusty mini hoop-house (check out these simple plans for my DIY mini hoop-house), which I had left set up on the garden in the fall as part of my efforts at season-extension. I planted spinach, tatsoi, claytonia, and kale─all cold hardy crops that grow quickly.

And then, before I had to leave for my shift at Johnny’s Selected Seeds, I squeezed in hive-checks, putting more sugar-candy on the hives along with pollen patties. The idea with the pollen patties is to stimulate brood production, and I’m trying to do that in a manner that will allow these hives to build up enough population so that in 4 or 5 weeks they will be able to make the most of the first nectar source of the season: the maple bloom.

So far 5 out of 5 hives are still alive! I’m stoked! Stay tuned folks!