The experience of inexperience

The experience of inexperience is not comfortable.  I know because it has met me at every season here on the farm so far.

Today William and I set out to harvest some honey.  I consulted with experts, reviewed a book, read blogs, skimmed forums and finally said we just had to do it.  All we had to do was suit up, smoke the bees out of the box and pull up the bars capped with honey.

It was not easy to get the bees off the honey.  A friend advised us not to over smoke or else the honey may taste like smoke.  So we smoked a little and then just sat with the bees and encouraged them (with a feather) back to the hive.      

This tested our patience.  We tipped the box over thinking that would encourage more out but as I tipped it all the comb collapsed on itself.

We guided as many as we could out by hand, and since the comb had already collapsed I gave the box a little shake. 

We loaded the box in the wagon and headed back closer to the house so we could collect the honey that was dripping all over the place.   We had two food grade buckets set up with a straining bag and the plan was to crush and strain.

On the way back to the house I had a overwhelming feeling that I had no idea what I was doing.  Before proceeding I needed a breather so with bee suits still on I invited William to lay in the grass by my side.  I stared up at the sky and wondered how I could be such an idiot.  Our experience looked nothing like the YouTube videos we watched. 

The sky answered back, be not discouraged, the experience of inexperience opens the path to gained wisdom.

I relaxed into this thought and forgave myself for allowing the comb to crush on itself.  I forgave myself for every plant or animal (and even child) that may have been miss cared for because of my lack of experience.  I am learning not to take my mistakes personally. 
  

It was good that lesson was had because the mistakes continued to happen.

As I began cutting into the comb and dropping it in the bucket I discovered there was some brood comb in there!  If the comb had remained intact I could have inspected each individual bar and only harvested off the ones that were fully capped.  I assumed that they broke off because they were too heavy with honey and that harvesting would be necessary in order to allow space for more brooding.  

Baby bees are all white, Maryanna learned all about it from an expert the last time we inspected the hive.  She saw a few and cried out "stop! don't kill the babies".  I really did not know what to do.  I picked up broken pieces of comb and inspected them carefully before adding them to the crush and strain bucket.  The obvious brood comb I set aside.  

I felt horrible and wondered if the queen got crushed somewhere between the combs.  I won't know until the next time I check on the hive.  I then practiced some really sloppy bee keeping, I took the broken brood comb back to the hive and wedged it in the the empty box.  I told myself, I may not know what to do with this but I'm sure the bees do.  I sure made a mess of their home and prayed they'd be okay.

Honestly I feel more concerned about the well being of the hive than harvesting honey.  I kind of wish I did not touch the hive today.  I wondered if I made a mistake in choosing a Warre' hive over the more traditional Langstroth hives. 

I wondered a lot of things and was grateful for what was learned.

A bunch of bees were lingering along the honey trail to the house.  Peter got stung on the tip of his finger, he said he was trying to save a drowning bee.  He was totally freaking out. I on the other hand was calm, I knew exactly what to do.  I have been through this before, carefully flick out the stinger so you do not squeeze anymore venom into the flesh, rinse under cold water and apply lavender oil and ice.  And I would not have known that had I not experienced a bee sting before.      

I forever will be a student of experience, for that is where we take ownership of gained knowledge, and that is where our knowledge becomes wisdom. 

Garden report 7 - still hungry

The sunflowers have bursted!  What a joy it is to see them dancing outside the front window.

The garlic was harvested and now drying in the garage. 

James' birdhouse gourds are happy.

And it is a wonder to Maryanna how one tiny seed could grow so tall so quick.

The hugel beds have experienced success with beautiful basil and greens but for some reason the squash are now limping.  I'm seriously worried about the possibility of no zucchini this summer.

The black Hungarian peppers are most productive but again I do not know how to cook them.

Green peppers are beginning.  

The beets are tempting me to roast them.  The problem is we have no a/c and I have not turned the oven on in over a week.  Beet kvass?

I have been stir frying.  This is a mix of greens, broccoli, peas and mushrooms.  It was yummy.

Even the stir fry made the kitchen too hot so I pulled some turnips, and carrots, picked some parsley and found some purslane.  Mixed with olive oil, salt, honey and lemon juice this is one of our favorite salads.

The garden is producing yet still we are hungry.  I've been wondering about our ability to grow our own food and came to the silly realization that it is not a lack of food, it is simply my lack of enthusiasm in preparing it.  Who wants to sweat in a 90 degree kitchen over a hot stove?!  I need an outdoor kitchen for sure.

Looking back

Garden report 6

We had a hay day!

We had a hay day, and honestly while it was happening it really was not fun.  Last year we had the luxury of a few extra adult hands and equipment that did its work as needed.  This year it was just us and the kicker off the baler kicked out as did the elevator up to the hay loft.

It really would have made for an excellent reality show...... Young Family of 10 attempt to bale hay by hand on one of the hottest days in July.  We did our best to document the event with many photos and a few short video clips.
   

While Paul finished up the baling the three older boys and I loaded them up in the pick up truck.  I was behind the wheel but promised James if he gave good effort with the lifting I would practice driving in the field with him sometime so he could help drive if needed in the future.

For the moment though, we just had to get through the task and no one was excited about it.  

I pulled more than my weight with the unloading and stacking.  As did the two girls inside. Maryanna and Clara were responsible for feeding the younger three, changing diapers and putting them to bed, something they have never done on their own before.  

They did okay until bedtime when Henry and George came charging out to the hay field barefoot and half dressed in jammies screaming for me to tuck them in bed.  I had to tell them we all were being stretched, I pointed to Paul who was barely stopping to drink, I showed them my clothes covered in sweat and hay, and the older boys also all pooped and sweaty, even the girls were doing hard jobs and it was their job to simply rest safely in bed.  I promised they could participate in a few years after many many good nights of growing sleeps.  They took it well and we proceeded without anymore (little) kid interruptions.

William is who is so observant of wildlife spotted a snake wiggling out of one of the bales.  We took a short break to release the creature but we're not sure it survived.

I kept pushing the older boys and at one point I was called a "monster".  I was told, "you have no idea how miserable I am", "I just may die in 5 seconds", and countless "why are we doing this"? and "how much longer do we have to work"?.........

And honestly Paul and I did not say much, we'd simply pass by with thumbs up too focused and too tired for anything else.     

With the younger three in bed Clara and Maryanna were eager to help the big kids.  For them it was exciting and they gave it every once of muscle including those that made their eyes shine and smiles bright.  They may not have been able to lift bales but their enthusiasm sure lifted our spirits.  

We worked till moonlight getting all the bales off the field.  The fireflies and bats joined us and it was a beautiful display.

The next day was Sunday and usually we observe it as a day of rest but with rain in the forecast we needed to get the bales in the barn.  A neighbor came by and helped us rewire the elevator and that made the job actually possible for us to finish. 

It was another hot day.  The younger ones participated still in their church clothes. And after experiencing all the bats waking up in the barn the night before Peter took refuge with Archie in the shade of the hay wagon.  

I believe we ended up with around 250 bales. We've actually been concerned about the productivity of the hay field but decided it was a blessing this time around, we may not have been able to handle more than that.  Paul wondered how a big mac could cost only $.99 - we are working so hard for our food!

The best part about finishing was reporting it to my parents, I got to apologize for all the times I complained and tried to hide from the work they provided for me as a kid.  Looking forward to a similar conversation with my own children many years from now.

Here is a short clip.  The work looks easy because it was once we got the elevator running. Glad to have the help of many hands and glad the work is done!

Family Hay Day from Freden Farm on Vimeo.

Garden report 6 - what's working what's not

I'm happy to report that the garden boxes were the best investment of the season.  It is so easy to hop out the front door, take 5 steps and pick lunch.  We are eating a lot of salad and sauteed greens.  It is nice that all this space needs is occasional watering, replanting and very frequent picking.  

On the west side of the house the snacking tomatoes are happy.  We have one cherry and one yellow pear tomato plant.  So far the yellows are the only ones ready to eat, the kids have been watching each fruit individually and brag out how delicious it was when they find one ripe. It has become kind of a game and I'm not sure I like it.

I have a beautiful hot black Hungarian pepper plant between the two tomatoes.  I'm not sure I know how to cook with it but is is pretty.

Along the side porch rests the brick pathway project that was suppose to be started and finished 3 months ago.  Besides that everything else is fragrant and blooming.

Along the back I've allowed the volunteer hollyhocks to remain where ever they please. 

We've cleared out a junk bed behind the garage and not sure what to do with that yet.  It is east facing and below the giant black walnut so I lost most of what was planted last year including rhubarb and tea roses.  All that is left is hollyhocks.

I actually have big dreams for this space as a screened porch/outdoor kitchen.  But with the pace of our brick pathway I'll have to maintain patience with this vision.

In the big garden we let some carrots from last year go to seed.  I'm not sure yet how to collect the seeds but I'll leave that to Peter since he is in charge of seed saving.  After reviewing how much I spent on seeds this year Paul offered to pay Peter for all the seeds that are collected for next year's use.

The romas are looking much more plentiful than last year! That is a good thing because we just used up our last jar of sauce from last year.  I think we need to double what we canned then.

The potatoes are blooming.

There are signs of grapes.  Unfortunately the two baby goats Spike and Greta have found their way into the garden and chomped down a few vines.  They are listed on craigslist right now for $75 each and if it happens again it might be edited to FREE!

Here is Clara's garden.  The cosmos is taking over and we look forward to some happy blooms.  I showed her how to mulch with grass and she kept at it until a giant dragon fly spooked her.  It was black and she asked me if "it was an evil fairy".  I promised her it was not but still she has not been close to her garden spot ever since.  

The corn is coming up.  We have a bi-color and a patch of broom corn.  

We've put nets over the blueberries and checking everyday for ripeness.  I'm afraid they will be much like the "snacking" tomatoes, eaten faster than they can be returned to the kitchen.

The hugel beds are producing very strong plants.  Peter has observed the kale there is almost double the ones from the front beds.  I do have concern about the squashes.  We have already lost 3 due to fungus.  It has been a wet summer and I'm wondering if the density of the plants is trapping too much moisture.  

Here are James' bird house gourds.  He refuses to use straw mulch because he thinks it is "embarrassing", he asked me why I can't just buy wood chips, "like normal people".  I remind myself that he is a teenager and will not try to figure out the reasoning behind that one.  This is his space and he can do as he pleases.

Across another hugel bed the Asian greens are going to seed and so we let them.  The sunflowers are just about to burst into bloom and it is a constant task of chopping down the emerging weeds.  For the most part though it is productive plants that are taking over.

Here is the pea tower.  It did not happen as planned.  The old fan guard on top was not strong enough to hold the weight and the bailing twine is disintegrating before our eyes.  Net year I'll look for an old bicycle wheel and use stronger twine.  The peas are producing it just just does not look pretty and failed to create a secret hiding place for the kids.

Maryanna helped me picked a pile this last week and as she was snacking and picking she lost a tooth.  It fell out then fell somewhere beneath her feet.  We couldn't find it so she decided to find two the biggest peas, drew a picture of what happened and hoping the tooth fairy accepts that in lieu of her tooth.    

This batch of heirloom Hungarian heart tomatoes could use some more support also.  I've got it on my list to get some heavy stakes for them.  

The best part of this report is that we are eating! Here's a sample from Charlie's baby bowl.  Rice, broccoli, pac choy, eggs and a sprinkle of bacon.  

p.s. one should always wear their glasses when picking and washing broccoli.  After a few chomps while still picking I discovered those sneaky worms.

Looking back on report 5 

A return to the bees

This season I've grown weary with all the work that's been required of me.  Everything that seemed so exciting and new in the first year of farming has shifted to feeling like heavy responsibility.  For that reason I'm sorry to admit that I've totally neglected the bees, they were on the bottom of my care list.  

My way of checking on them was noting their activity in the garden or heading out to the hive and simply putting my ear to the box and making sure they sounded active. I told this to an experienced bee keeper a few weeks ago and her response made me feel ashamed.  

The truth is I am so inexperienced in all that I'm doing, learning as I go with a book in one hand and at least 3 children trailing alongside me asking me hard questions and another 3 crying for my attention in other ways.  For that reason I'm not sure I'm an adequate care taker of anything here on the farm, nothing is allotted my full attention.

But with the bees you cannot attend to them with anything less than full presence and attention.  I knew this was a task I could not do on my own with a few children, I needed outside help.

Luckily just last week I came into contact with a woman who's been tending to bees for over 20 years and works at the MSU bee lab.  She lives only a few miles from us so we were able to set up a private consultation.  And what a difference it made!

I learned so much in the hour we spent inspecting our hive together.  So did Maryanna and William.  I learned the gentle speed at which to move and speak when opening the hive, how to properly operate a smoker, to use a turkey feather for brushing instead of a bee brush, and what signs to look for.

I have a Warre' hive , the bees build their own comb down the bar.  It differs from a Langstroth hive where there are frames set in for the building of comb and honey.  Right now I have just one hive but I have intention of adding a Langstroth hive in the future so I can experience both and decided what direction to continue with.  Some claim that the Warre' hive is more ecologically friendly and better for the overall health of the hive and Langstroth may cost more to set up but definitely produces more honey.  I personally lean in both directions.  

The bees were gentle and upon opening the hive I fell in love all over again.  It is hard to describe the energetic experience of interacting with the bees, for me it is as soothing and sweat inducing as yoga.     

We discussed propolis, the sealant produced by the bees, it has amazing healing properties and can also be misused.  In the natural world of healing many believe anything "natural" is harmless but the truth is all things must be used with wisdom and discretion.  I am happy this woman discussed this important message with me because another bee keeper misled me into believing we should collect and consume as much propolis as we could.

On the top we see the white pupa of a drone (male bee).  It looked good, no sign of mites.

Below you ca see the pattern in which the comb is built.  The holes vary in size for different laying needs.

We were not able to locate the queen but did see new larvae which is a sign that she is active in the hive.

Below you can see the even laying pattern.  That also is a sign of a strong hive.

I have three boxes on right now.  The top box is ready to harvest, we know that because the honey is capped.  The honey is capped when it reaches a moisture level of %17 and if it is harvested before that it will ferment.  

The middle box is actively used for brooding right now and the comb is just getting started in the bottom box.  I just ordered some new top bars and will replace them in the top box when I harvest the honey.

We broke off a piece of the capped honey and it was sweet with such richness you could not take but one bite.  We were all licking our fingers and chewing on the wax - what a treat!  Looking forward to many more peaceful afternoons attending to the hive.