It's the Bees' Knees

            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.