Bluebird
Acres Farm in Friendship NY just acquired a bee hive. I guess my son and
daughter in law decided their free range chickens needed company. “Biodiversity
and pollination,” my son replied when his citified, garden-phobic mom asked him
why they needed to expose themselves to multiple stingers. I was told they
happily buzz around people in their search for nectar and really don’t pose a
hazard. Deb said they were very polite as they kept her company when she
harvested in one of their raised beds.
Well, I’ll take their word for it
since I really don’t need more to worry about.
But
speaking of bees, I was reminded of the colony collapse disorder that’s been
recently in the news, where bees are abandoning their hives in huge numbers. According
to one resource, NRDC Natural Resources Defense Council, “nearly one-third of
all honey bee colonies in the country have vanished.” That means, without pollination compliments
of bees, we can say good-bye to apples, cucumbers, broccoli, onions, carrots
and more – about three fourths of our current vegetable diet.
One bee keeper quoted in our local
newspaper said he would breathe easy when the dandelions come into bloom
because then he knows the bees will have a good source of nectar.
Last year I wrote about why I believed
the lowly dandelion should acquire flower status. I pointed out they make a
tasty salad as well as wine and the University of Rochester has claimed the
dandelion as its own with such events as “Dandelion Days.” Now I have another
reason to let my lawn run wild with that little yellow flower. I’m feeding bees
which cross pollinate plants so we can enjoy a bountiful harvest of
veggies.
Now Good Neighbor Dave has a fine
garden and I’m sure he will appreciate all
that cross pollination compliments of bees dining on dandelions next door.
I can’t wait to tell him the good
news.
