Bumble Bee Apartment Complex Approved.

I'm still collecting materials for my honey bee hive and doing some research. I just informed my hubby yesterday that the western side of our house is mine and he can't have it!

I'm putting my bees and my organic garden there the start of next spring.

So I wondered what I could do while I'm waiting for the spring, researching (so the bees don't rip me apart and I do what I am supposed to for them),building my hive and planning next years landscaping project with my bees in mind.

Then I came across a blog which led me to thinking of bumble bees! So i looked up bumble bee hives. While the hive is almost the same as the honey bee, I've decided since its so late in the season to go with the Bumble Bee Nest. They are super simple to make. And I have most of whats required right at home. I also found this one which is a little more in depth and I will be working on this as well.

Meanwhile I found a wonderful site that will help me next year in planning my landscaping around my home and figuring out what my Bumble Bee Score currently is! Select the plants in your yard and it gives you your score!

Will keep you posted!

Today is my start day.

Lately I feel like I've become an activist for just about everything. I've been following the Japan Earthquake (with the help of Ian Thomas Ash and his wonderful documentaries/articles/blogs ). It happened on my birthday and I feel both a deep connection with the Japanese people and guilt because of it!

Very recently I've taken up the Anti-GMO campaign, with just cause. I have two small children at home and am genuinely concerned about the food they're eating and what there life will be like in the next 20 years. 

Through my studies I've come to learn that most of what I've been following, researching, donating to, and speaking up about is all intricately woven together. While the Japan earthquake may not be directly related to GMOs there are some small similarities. 

I read an article on how GMOs and fungicides are killing the bees. Which makes sense. I purchased fruit from the local Shoprite a couple weeks ago and it looked like people where trying to break out from this lemon. (it looked like a star you'd put on top of a Christmas tree) Our food is being mutated at an alarming rate.  Why would anyone find this acceptable? GMOs and pesticides hurt humans. Honestly, why do you think there has been such a huge outbreak of food allergies, birth defects and so on. (I cannot wait for the Santo Movie to come out!) [ok... i'm blabbering]

This morning my son woke me up about 5:30am (he's sleeping in my room in his bassinet until his room is refinished). He fell back asleep and I tried like hell, but all of the sudden i had this instant thought: 

I remember as a kid running around outside with no shoes on and getting stung. 

I remember having barbeques where the bees where more bothersome then the flies.

I remember not being able to walk past our cherry, holly, or pear tree without it sounding like a jet engine from the bees flying through it. 

I remember seeing bees.

I remember seeing bumblebees.

 While my house is not beautifully landscaped. I still have weeds, trees, some flowers and bushes. And yet after living there for a year and a half... I can't remember the last time I SAW or heard a bee at my house. And I'm going to be honest, the bee crisis has bothered me since watching "Bee Movie." I remember seeing that movie and saying... It's not too far off.

SO I woke up this morning and decided I'm going to be finally start my own colony. (and on a budget) I have 2 kids and just purchased a home. While I don't have a ton of space, I've got plenty of trees, flowers and will be setting up my organic garden next spring! 

My first step: Today I am downloading the free plan to build my own beehive. The previous homeowners left me an entire wood-shop down stairs in my basement and some left over wood pieces. My plan is to collect recycled materials, materials from Craigslist and anything else i can find or purchase used, cheaply.

Wish me luck and I will keep you updated!

If you live in the Southern New Jersey area and have any of the following please Email me!
-12" or 6" Western Red Cedar/Douglas Fir/ Ponderosa Pine/Southern Pine. - untreated
-4 - 4 x 2's
-20 - 2½" Wood screws  (brass/stainless steel)
-10 3" coach bolts
-Galvanized roofing nails.
-Shims
-½" Dowel
- external grade plywood
-Plastic/Wire messh with holes of 2.5-3.5mm.
-Raw linseed oil
-A Wood plane - Can be new, old, rusted - don't care.