<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Weeding25thApr20.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-6241 size-medium" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Weeding25thApr20-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>During this period of lockdown time has become less meaningful because tomorrow is probably going to be a repeat of today. The difference might be weeding a different part of the garden.

Talking of which I have weeded a large section as can be seen in this photo however I can imagine the weeds are growing up behind me as I press forward on the kneeler.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/veg-plot-26th-Apr20.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-6243" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/veg-plot-26th-Apr20-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>To take a break from the flower beds I can always turn my attention to the vegetable plot. The parsnips, carrots, shallots, and beetroot are all showing through but they desperately need a good shower of rain. It hasn't rained for four weeks and I'm concerned the rainwater harvesting tank is getting low as I water seedlings every other evening.

I have had some failures: cucumbers zero; courgettes 1; and sweet peppers 3 but not vigorous. I've just sown a couple of squash seeds, never grown them before so that will be interesting. Must look up some squash recipes and whether I can combine it with honey.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Queen-marked-260420.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-6242 alignright" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Queen-marked-260420-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>One significant worry has been alleviated. I've been searching for the queen in the colony for months now and today I found her and marked her with a dab of yellow marker. The intention was to put a little spot on the back of her head however the marker fluid was a lot runnier than I expected and I nearly drowned her in it. She survived and I kept her captive long enough for the liquid to dry before placing her back carefully in with her workers.

The bees are happy. They are storing honey but haven't capped it in enough quantities to make it worthwhile to extract it yet. Another three or four weeks and I'm sure I shall be collecting my first batch of honey.

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