A box of buzzing bees .

Glorious sunshine , a walk in our favourite spot and an afternoon playing in the green gym . I planted some perennial geraniums alongside a variety of brightly blossomed plants , all chosen with the bees in mind . I also bought some vivid pink petunias which should stay bright and cheerful throughout most of the summer . We have a real slug problem so I’m always looking for ideas that will help to discourage them . I spotted some pellets made from sheep’s wool which promise to keep the slugs at bay and also improve the soil texture . They. have been liberally scattered around the plants at risk and we shall see just how effective they are . I’ve also come across a brand of peat free compost which is made in the Lake District from sheep’s wool and bracken . The company will deliver it to your door !

Meanwhile the honeybees that arrived yesterday had a disastrous night during which the wall they were attached to began to collapse . Fortunately the beekeeper we had contacted yesterday arrived with the correct equipment (a special box with old honeycombs in it ) and the knowledge about how to get the bee colony into the box . They have taken all day to move in and the last few hundred seem to be clinging to the side and refusing to go anywhere . The beekeeper , Karl , is due to arrive shortly and will use a cold water spray to encourage the remainers to go inside the box .
Karl also identified the other group of bees that have been buzzing around our garden wall . They are white tailed bumble bees . All the bee friendly flowers I have planted seem to be attracting their attention.
Bedtime for me as I’m meeting a friend at 6am tomorrow morning but that’s another tale .