Herald - Issue 424

v GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE HERALD v 2nd June 2022 • The HERALD • Page 57 ✿ DOWN THE GARDEN PATH ✿ RYAN FENCING Quality Fencing & Gates 07769 706516 • 023 8084 1203 www.ryan-fencing.co.uk • Find us on Facebook SPADEWORK Family Landscaping & Fencing Team ] Decking & Natural Sandstone Paving ] Patios ] Driveways ] Block Paving ] Turfing ] All Types of Domestic & Commercial Fencing ] Security Fencing Supplied & Fitted Tel: (023) 8089 4909 Mobile: 07703 566814 u F ree E stimates u F ully I nsured BEAULIEU HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY For the April meeting, members of the Beaulieu Horticultural Society enjoyed a most informative talk on the fascinating life of bees and the rewarding role of beekeeping. Husband and wife team, David and Alla Neal of Ashley, have been beekeepers for nine years and are members of the New Forest Beekeeping Association. Together, they gave a most comprehensive illustrated overview of the responsibilities of beekeeping. Members were shown the inner workings of the beehive and the roles played by the queen, the workers and the drones as well as their respective life cycles. Monitoring of the queen cells is particularly important. e di erent types of hive and the equipment needed were explained as well as the attention needed over the year beginning in the Spring. When the temperature reaches 14 degrees C, hives need to be inspected to assess the brood, the food stores, the health of the queen and the hive. During the summer, the potential for swarming must be monitored and regular checks made so honey is collected from the hives at the appropriate time. As gardeners, we are interested to learn how we can make our gardens attractive to bees. Bees collect both pollen and nectar but bees see colours in ultraviolet light and are most attracted to yellow and blue owers. ey are able to sense when to visit a ower for nectar and pass on the information to fellow bees. e nectar is made into honey in the hive while the pollen is stored in the hive and used to feed the young bees. Pollen is their only source of protein. Depending on the owers being visited, a range of honey is produced and each has its own distinctive avour, colour and texture. Especially prized is the heather honey produced from the mass owering of the New Forest heather in August. Members were able to sample di erent types of honey and mead. that we eat and 80% of all flowering plants. e importance of the beekeeper in maintaining the health of the hive and of the gardener/farmer in growing pollen rich, bee- friendly plants cannot be underestimated. e Summer Show will be held on Saturday 2nd July in East Boldre Village Hall at 2.15 pm. Bees are the world’s most important pollinators, fertilising plants that provide one third of the food Grand Open Day e Healthy Haven Garden at the Waterside Medical Practice are having a Grand Open Day on Saturday 23rd July from 10am to 3pm. ere will be cra stalls, the Praizin Hand Puppets Group, Surrey ice creams, food vans and music. e music includes a Ukulele group, Summer Worsley with 70’s and Country music and Andrew Rance singing and on the keyboard. Balmer Lawn Honda of Dibden Purlieu will be showing two of their cars. is is the rst open day that the garden is having since it opened in May 2019. Now we are learning to live with COVID-19 they want to showcase the Healthy Haven Garden and let the whole community enjoy it and have some fun. Please put this date in your diaries and do go along on the day. Look out for more details and posters nearer the time. Do you enjoy pottering around the garden, or socialising with others in good weather? Why don’t you join Lepe Gardening Club every other Saturday to help keep the Sensory Garden at Lepe Country Park looking its best. Meet like-minded volunteers, try your hand at learning something new, or just get outside for a while. Great for mind, body and soul. From 9.30am-11.30am, you can nish just in time for a seaside view for lunch. For more information about the Gardening Club, please contact Lepe Country Park: lepe. enquiries@hants.gov.uk or 023 8089 9108. Lepe Gardening Club