UK Springtime musings

[dpedin]

Greenkeeper at my golf course is tearing his hair out - very wet end of 2020, 6 weeks of lying snow in Jan/Feb, March was encouraging, April was very dry and cold and May has been cold and now very wet! He has found it really difficult getting course to recover from hard winter and ready for play for peak season. Other courses have had an even worse time than us, many have lost a few greens to the weather and even the links courses have seen below par growth. Played Lundin Links in Fife the other week and their greens were about 4-6 weeks behind.

[Torquemada 1420]

May seems to have wiped out most of our ashy mining bees. We had about 10 of them at one point during April and I rarely see any at all now. On the odd day when we do actually get a concerted period of sun I have seen a couple. Briefly spotted a tree bumble at the beginning of the month, but haven't seen it in a while.

White tailed bumbles, early bumbles and red masons seems to be doing ok. Not yet at the numbers we'd normally expect, though. Smattering of honey bees around at the moment too plus single examples of a brown banded carder, a red girdled-miner, hairy footed flower and tawny miner.

I keep red masons and leafcutters (they aren't due for several weeks anyway). If I didn't have the cocoons in a rhubarb forcing jar with a lid, I think they would have drowned!! Have made sure plenty of feed plants in pots (mainly lavender) nearby.

[TB63]

I live next to a very large cemetery (dead centre of town) and whilst they removed the beds of the graves years ago, retained the headstones and cleared all the undergrowth. Now its all grass and on cue today, as soon as the wild flowers start appearing, out come the strimmers and mowers..

[Sandstorm]

Although slightly colder than normal, April was actually unusually dry. The Met Office website confirms that it was the UK’s fourth driest April in a series from 1862. It was also the sunniest April in a series since 1919. Remember, April is traditionally very wet. As Chaucer put it

Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,

You're right about May though, which is set to be the wettest since 1862.

Yup. See my correction above. I meant coldest and not wettest. My bees are very unhappy about it and even unhappier with May.

May seems to have wiped out most of our ashy mining bees. We had about 10 of them at one point during April and I rarely see any at all now. On the odd day when we do actually get a concerted period of sun I have seen a couple. Briefly spotted a tree bumble at the beginning of the month, but haven't seen it in a while.

White tailed bumbles, early bumbles and red masons seems to be doing ok. Not yet at the numbers we'd normally expect, though. Smattering of honey bees around at the moment too plus single examples of a brown banded carder, a red girdled-miner, hairy footed flower and tawny miner.

Did you scream “Hornet!!!” and run away in fear every time you saw one of those harmless bee varieties? / my wife

[sockwithaticket]

Oh dear...

May seems to have wiped out most of our ashy mining bees. We had about 10 of them at one point during April and I rarely see any at all now. On the odd day when we do actually get a concerted period of sun I have seen a couple. Briefly spotted a tree bumble at the beginning of the month, but haven't seen it in a while.

White tailed bumbles, early bumbles and red masons seems to be doing ok. Not yet at the numbers we'd normally expect, though. Smattering of honey bees around at the moment too plus single examples of a brown banded carder, a red girdled-miner, hairy footed flower and tawny miner.

I keep red masons and leafcutters (they aren't due for several weeks anyway). If I didn't have the cocoons in a rhubarb forcing jar with a lid, I think they would have drowned!! Have made sure plenty of feed plants in pots (mainly lavender) nearby.

That's cool, I'd like to try my hand at it over the next few years. Still relatively new to this level of interest in bees.

I live next to a very large cemetery (dead centre of town) and whilst they removed the beds of the graves years ago, retained the headstones and cleared all the undergrowth. Now its all grass and on cue today, as soon as the wild flowers start appearing, out come the strimmers and mowers..

I have never understood the apparent obsession with keeping grass as short and neat as possible that many seem to have and that bewilderment has only grown as I've learnt more about how good for our wildlife less tended grass can be. Even ignoring that element it's amazing the variety of wild flowers that can spring up if just left alone and they look good to boot.

[Torquemada 1420]

Oh dear...

May seems to have wiped out most of our ashy mining bees. We had about 10 of them at one point during April and I rarely see any at all now. On the odd day when we do actually get a concerted period of sun I have seen a couple. Briefly spotted a tree bumble at the beginning of the month, but haven't seen it in a while.

White tailed bumbles, early bumbles and red masons seems to be doing ok. Not yet at the numbers we'd normally expect, though. Smattering of honey bees around at the moment too plus single examples of a brown banded carder, a red girdled-miner, hairy footed flower and tawny miner.

I keep red masons and leafcutters (they aren't due for several weeks anyway). If I didn't have the cocoons in a rhubarb forcing jar with a lid, I think they would have drowned!! Have made sure plenty of feed plants in pots (mainly lavender) nearby.

That's cool, I'd like to try my hand at it over the next few years. Still relatively new to this level of interest in bees.

I live next to a very large cemetery (dead centre of town) and whilst they removed the beds of the graves years ago, retained the headstones and cleared all the undergrowth. Now its all grass and on cue today, as soon as the wild flowers start appearing, out come the strimmers and mowers..

I have never understood the apparent obsession with keeping grass as short and neat as possible that many seem to have and that bewilderment has only grown as I've learnt more about how good for our wildlife less tended grass can be. Even ignoring that element it's amazing the variety of wild flowers that can spring up if just left alone and they look good to boot.

F**king council morons and their procurement contracts with cronies. There is no reason at all to mow verges. The UK has lost 97% of wild flower meadows since the 1930s. If our council ceased wasting money on this environmentally unsound sh*t (they spray weedkiller around the base of lamp posts too) and spent it properly repairing dangerous road surfaces, we'd all be a lot happier. Because these guys are under contract and so run to schedules, they were out ripping up the verges last week: the ground and grass was sodden.

[tabascoboy]

I have never understood the apparent obsession with keeping grass as short and neat as possible that many seem to have and that bewilderment has only grown as I've learnt more about how good for our wildlife less tended grass can be. Even ignoring that element it's amazing the variety of wild flowers that can spring up if just left alone and they look good to boot.

I'd love to think that my grass ( I won't dignify it by calling it a lawn) could look like a beautiful wildflower meadow if left untended, but unless you manage it carefully it just looks like you're a lazy git who can't be bothered to keep it tidy.

Saying that, my so called lawn is at least 60% moss and 20% dandelions so I'm halfway there...

[Torquemada 1420]

That's cool, I'd like to try my hand at it over the next few years. Still relatively new to this level of interest in bees.

Always happy to help. Have been doing this for many years now. But your best starting point is here:
https://www.masonbees.co.uk/

Note. DO NOT use those "bee hotels" you see in garden centres etc i.e. the cutesie things with bamboo in them. They are a recipe for spreading disease amongst mason and leaf cutters because you cannot replace or clean the tubes.

3 other considerations
1) I'm not having much luck with the plastic drain pipe type holders yet. 1st year of trying these. The wooden tube holders have been great but they need a bit more weather proofing than they come as standard. Mine are all roof covered with copper.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254844489709 ... SwzM5gDleC

2) Chris tends to separate his cocoons by soaking the inner tubes in water. We've discussed this over the years: I'm anti this approach because it's not a natural part of the cycles. The bees would normally break out from their nests naturally. Also once the cocoons are out of the tubes, they are a lot more vulnerable to damage, attack and the elements.

3) You need South or South-ish facing walls, preferably head height-ish (or above: too high and you won't see much and replacing tubes becomes a pain) and if sheltered a bit too, great although these proper houses do a good enough job.

[Torquemada 1420]

I have never understood the apparent obsession with keeping grass as short and neat as possible that many seem to have and that bewilderment has only grown as I've learnt more about how good for our wildlife less tended grass can be. Even ignoring that element it's amazing the variety of wild flowers that can spring up if just left alone and they look good to boot.

I'd love to think that my grass ( I won't dignify it by calling it a lawn) could look like a beautiful wildflower meadow if left untended, but unless you manage it carefully it just looks like you're a lazy git who can't be bothered to keep it tidy.

Saying that, my so called lawn is at least 60% moss and 20% dandelions so I'm halfway there...

You are right. But you can help a lot by leaving a metre or so around the edge unmown and even trying to plant wild flower seeds there. The flowers bit is really a bit of suck and see what works in your conditions. And you'll have to resow each year because most won't reseed themselves in such small confines. BTW, dandelions can be great for insects.

[tabascoboy]

I have never understood the apparent obsession with keeping grass as short and neat as possible that many seem to have and that bewilderment has only grown as I've learnt more about how good for our wildlife less tended grass can be. Even ignoring that element it's amazing the variety of wild flowers that can spring up if just left alone and they look good to boot.

I'd love to think that my grass ( I won't dignify it by calling it a lawn) could look like a beautiful wildflower meadow if left untended, but unless you manage it carefully it just looks like you're a lazy git who can't be bothered to keep it tidy.

Saying that, my so called lawn is at least 60% moss and 20% dandelions so I'm halfway there...

You are right. But you can help a lot by leaving a metre or so around the edge unmown and even trying to plant wild flower seeds there. The flowers bit is really a bit of suck and see what works in your conditions. And you'll have to resow each year because most won't reseed themselves in such small confines. BTW, dandelions can be great for insects.

My grass is only 2.5m wide! Very narrow at the side of the house - but don't want to concrete it. Also have veg growing in small beds nearby so really don't want "weeds" growing any where they want to as some are too hard to control when they get established.

Would be very happy to not have to mow though.

[lemonhead]

Dandelions will absolutely be it for your wildflowers without intervention.

Was thinking about throwing down some yellow rattle to get things started but in our neck of the woods there's just not enough sun. Going perennial clover, herbaceous and a load of quarry stone instead.

[tc27]

I have deliberately seeded a wildflower meadow mix around some borders and trees which i only intend to mow once a year.

But the main part of the lawn just turns into dandelions and moss without intervention - its also main outdoor space for two young kids.

[tabascoboy]

I have some native bluebells and cornflowers growing in a patch that I leave to nature (only really for April/May/June), but the most popular flowers with bees in my garden are very clearly the large spread of very non-native aubretia over garden walls. They really love it!
Oh and some wood avens has appeared in the last couple of years and I leave that to do as it will too.

[sockwithaticket]

That's cool, I'd like to try my hand at it over the next few years. Still relatively new to this level of interest in bees.

Always happy to help. Have been doing this for many years now. But your best starting point is here:
https://www.masonbees.co.uk/

Note. DO NOT use those "bee hotels" you see in garden centres etc i.e. the cutesie things with bamboo in them. They are a recipe for spreading disease amongst mason and leaf cutters because you cannot replace or clean the tubes.

3 other considerations
1) I'm not having much luck with the plastic drain pipe type holders yet. 1st year of trying these. The wooden tube holders have been great but they need a bit more weather proofing than they come as standard. Mine are all roof covered with copper.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254844489709 ... SwzM5gDleC

2) Chris tends to separate his cocoons by soaking the inner tubes in water. We've discussed this over the years: I'm anti this approach because it's not a natural part of the cycles. The bees would normally break out from their nests naturally. Also once the cocoons are our of the tubes, they are a lot more vulnerable to damage, attack and the elements.

3) You need South or South-ish facing walls, preferably head height-ish (or above: too high and you won't see much and replacing tubes becomes a pain) and if sheltered a bit too, great although these proper houses do a good enough job.

[sockwithaticket]

I have deliberately seeded a wildflower meadow mix around some borders and trees which i only intend to mow once a year.

But the main part of the lawn just turns into dandelions and moss without intervention - its also main outdoor space for two young kids.

We've got loads of stuff I haven't bothered identifying yet that most definitely was not put there deliberately by us, not many dandelions. Loads of clover, which the bees love.

[lemonhead]

On our one bees absolutely bloody love f.riccartonii, sedums, poached egg plant, alliums, foxgloves.

Just need to sort out the effin cats now

[Torquemada 1420]

On our one bees absolutely bloody love f.riccartonii, sedums, poached egg plant, alliums, foxgloves.

Just need to sort out the effin cats now

The key is providing enough stuff throughout the season because of differing flowering time. And water. Critical esp to masons who need it for their "cement" manufacture. I keep an old, shallow plant pot holder topped up with a few rocks in: stops it blowing away but more importantly helps prevent the bees drowning.

[tabascoboy]

Oddly enough cats seem to prefer a really neat and well ordered garden to an untidy one. Rake a bed to a fine tilth, plant some seeds or seedlings and the next day - a massive cat turd right there...either on the surface or just below a mound where the shitting creature has wrecked your bed by pushing soil around to cover it.

[laurent]

Oddly enough cats seem to prefer a really neat and well ordered garden to an untidy one. Rake a bed to a fine tilth, plant some seeds or seedlings and the next day - a massive cat turd right there...either on the surface or just below a mound where the shitting creature has wrecked your bed by pushing soil around to cover it.

Stupid neighbour has catfood for all the neighbourhood cats... (she has 6 already).

brings the pests in our garden

[tabascoboy]

Oddly enough cats seem to prefer a really neat and well ordered garden to an untidy one. Rake a bed to a fine tilth, plant some seeds or seedlings and the next day - a massive cat turd right there...either on the surface or just below a mound where the shitting creature has wrecked your bed by pushing soil around to cover it.

Stupid neighbour has catfood for all the neighbourhood cats... (she has 6 already).

brings the pests in our garden

Well cats won't crap where they eat, so your neighbour's strategy is wise: "Eat here, crap next door"

[laurent]

Oddly enough cats seem to prefer a really neat and well ordered garden to an untidy one. Rake a bed to a fine tilth, plant some seeds or seedlings and the next day - a massive cat turd right there...either on the surface or just below a mound where the shitting creature has wrecked your bed by pushing soil around to cover it.

Stupid neighbour has catfood for all the neighbourhood cats... (she has 6 already).

brings the pests in our garden

Well cats won't crap where they eat, so your neighbour's strategy is wise: "Eat here, crap next door"

Actually this is a house / apartment block so the garden is what the cat cross to get at the food.

They were pissing in the cellar until I build a "door" to stop them going in there . ( there is a staircase under her window leading to the cellar).

old houses are fun this way.

[Openside]

I have deliberately seeded a wildflower meadow mix around some borders and trees which i only intend to mow once a year.

But the main part of the lawn just turns into dandelions and moss without intervention - its also main outdoor space for two young kids.

Thats what we were intending to do but assumed you planted bulbs in the autumn??

[tabascoboy]

Well back on topic and it has turned out to be the best day for a long while after a dull morning - some actual sunshine and 17C. Let's hope for a few more days of something approaching seasonal warmth

[Rinkals]

Winter setting in here in Johannesburg: temp was down to a chilly 22 degrees today.

Not a cloud in the sky, though, so not too bad.

[SaintK]

Winter setting in here in Johannesburg: temp was down to a chilly 22 degrees today.

Not a cloud in the sky, though, so not too bad.

Bugger off with your chilly 22 degrees
Can’t remember the last time we hit that height!!

[GogLais]

On our one bees absolutely bloody love f.riccartonii, sedums, poached egg plant, alliums, foxgloves.

Just need to sort out the effin cats now

I’ve had terrible trouble with cats over the years - well their excrement to be precise, tried all sorts of sprays with no effect. I’m touching wood as I say it but the PIR ultrasound device from Amazon may have sorted it.

[GogLais]

Well I did my getting back into it walk in Eryri, oddly it didn’t seem any wetter underfoot than usual.

[tabascoboy]

Winter setting in here in Johannesburg: temp was down to a chilly 22 degrees today.

Not a cloud in the sky, though, so not too bad.

Bugger off with your chilly 22 degrees
Can’t remember the last time we hit that height!!

Had that at the end of March but since it has hardly ever reached 15C!

[lemonhead]

On our one bees absolutely bloody love f.riccartonii, sedums, poached egg plant, alliums, foxgloves.

Just need to sort out the effin cats now

I’ve had terrible trouble with cats over the years - well their excrement to be precise, tried all sorts of sprays with no effect. I’m touching wood as I say it but the PIR ultrasound device from Amazon may have sorted it.

Fingers crossed. You can't stop a cat taking a shit on the lawn without a sniper rifle but ours is mostly beds and borders with a lot of exposed soil and a T junction for every little scrote going.

As a quarry town the one thing in abundance is cheap stone and thankfully the little feckers can't touch anything without losing their claws. Happy for once to put one over, just need to stop them ripping pollinators to pieces.

[Tichtheid]

I got a photo reminder today on my phone from a year ago - it was a picture of my wife swimming in the sea.

She wouldn't be doing that this week without a full dry suit

[Torquemada 1420]

Last year's crop of red masons

[Rinkals]

On our one bees absolutely bloody love f.riccartonii, sedums, poached egg plant, alliums, foxgloves.

Just need to sort out the effin cats now

I’ve had terrible trouble with cats over the years - well their excrement to be precise, tried all sorts of sprays with no effect. I’m touching wood as I say it but the PIR ultrasound device from Amazon may have sorted it.

Fingers crossed. You can't stop a cat taking a shit on the lawn without a sniper rifle but ours is mostly beds and borders with a lot of exposed soil and a T junction for every little scrote going.

As a quarry town the one thing in abundance is cheap stone and thankfully the little feckers can't touch anything without losing their claws. Happy for once to put one over, just need to stop them ripping pollinators to pieces.

Eh?

Are you sure it's cats shitting on your lawn and not dogs?

I don't know about your English cats, but most cats I know bury their shit and lawn (assuming it's lawn and not patchy bare earth) is not conducive to burying.

[tabascoboy]

I’ve had terrible trouble with cats over the years - well their excrement to be precise, tried all sorts of sprays with no effect. I’m touching wood as I say it but the PIR ultrasound device from Amazon may have sorted it.

Fingers crossed. You can't stop a cat taking a shit on the lawn without a sniper rifle but ours is mostly beds and borders with a lot of exposed soil and a T junction for every little scrote going.

As a quarry town the one thing in abundance is cheap stone and thankfully the little feckers can't touch anything without losing their claws. Happy for once to put one over, just need to stop them ripping pollinators to pieces.

Eh?

Are you sure it's cats shitting on your lawn and not dogs?

I don't know about your English cats, but most cats I know bury their shit and lawn (assuming it's lawn and not patchy bare earth) is not conducive to burying.

Male cats do leave shit unburied as a territorial marker, but it could be foxes.

[SaintK]

Fingers crossed. You can't stop a cat taking a shit on the lawn without a sniper rifle but ours is mostly beds and borders with a lot of exposed soil and a T junction for every little scrote going.

As a quarry town the one thing in abundance is cheap stone and thankfully the little feckers can't touch anything without losing their claws. Happy for once to put one over, just need to stop them ripping pollinators to pieces.

Eh?

Are you sure it's cats shitting on your lawn and not dogs?

I don't know about your English cats, but most cats I know bury their shit and lawn (assuming it's lawn and not patchy bare earth) is not conducive to burying.

Male cats do leave shit unburied as a territorial marker, but it could be foxes.

Don't get me started on cats. Neighbours both sides have them, I've no idea if they're male or female but they shit all over my lawn without burying the bloody stuff!!!
The bastard things have frightened off most of the birdlife we used to get as well

[tabascoboy]

Got 6ft high fences around my garden but even that won't stop cats, seen them climb it walking quite happily along the top so keep a supply of small stones at the ready as ammo... (I'm not a good shot so don't hit them just scare them off). Also have an ultrasound scarer but not sure it does much use.

[Paddington Bear]

What is that strange orb I see in the sky?

[TB63]

What is that strange orb I see in the sky?

No idea at all, most of the neighbours are locked indoors muttering incantations.. Im about to offer a burnt offering up...Its the neighbours cat, but hey ho...

[tc27]

Last year's crop of red masons

If I just buy the kit from the website you linked will the bees move in?

[tc27]

I have deliberately seeded a wildflower meadow mix around some borders and trees which i only intend to mow once a year.

But the main part of the lawn just turns into dandelions and moss without intervention - its also main outdoor space for two young kids.

Thats what we were intending to do but assumed you planted bulbs in the autumn??

No just mow in late Autumn and let it do its thing.

However as they don't flower until about now some spring flowing bulbs would be a decent thing to add in to provide more interest early in the year.

[Torquemada 1420]

Last year's crop of red masons

If I just buy the kit from the website you linked will the bees move in?

Yes. As long as you have them active in your area.