Everything is early this year. So we have snowdrops at the apiary:
Crocuses at Northfields allotments:
Blossom on the trees:
It were a mild day today, so the allotment bees were out and about.
The plots were quiet except for birds hopping over the bare earth. The main crops in view were the strange shapes of brussel sprouts.
All is quiet with the bees at the moment, but before we know it spring will be underway and the first swarms will be here.
Thanks to Margaret Anne Adams, who posted helpful December 2015 advice from the Regional Bee Inspectors on the BBKA Facebook page: INSPECTORS_ ADVICE.docx – apparently there have been outbreaks of European Foulbrood (EFB) in the Shropshire/Welsh borders. Part of the advice given to prevent these outbreaks is to change brood combs regularly and avoid re-using combs from colonies which have died out. Now is a good time to prepare new frames ready for spring Bailey or shook-swarm comb changes.
Adventuresinbeeland's Blog 
Nice. We have a couple of feet of snow . . . a long way yet before I see flowers.
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Well, other than the ones I see here.
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Feel for you – snow is very pretty too but makes walking chilly.
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I like the purple and yellow crocuses at the allotment, very spring like. 💐
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Purple and yellow has always been one of my favourite combos, so I enjoyed seeing daffs and purple crocuses together.
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Nice to see some early flowers. We’ve had such warm weather in Virginia, U.S. this year that I’m hoping we’ll get some early tree blossoms as well. The snow is mostly melted and the daffodils are above the ground – just waiting for some flowers to appear.
Love the contrast between the wheelbarrow and the snowdrops – the old and the new.
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Thanks. It’s always exciting to see the first flowers of the year – this year we haven’t had to wait very long.
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I am also hoping for an early spring – I don’t think I have enough hay otherwise – OH how I wish i could have kept bees alive here – I miss my bees.. good luck for you this summer! c
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Thanks Cecilia. I can imagine how much you miss the bees, it’s a shame your weather is so tricksy.
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Hello Emily. Lovely photos of the early spring flowers. That is good advice about preparing new frames now, even though it’s tempting to leave it until the last minute and the ‘season’ has already started! I’m determined to be ready for swarmy behaviour this year, last year my bees built up much quicker than I expected.
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It is easy for me to give this advice but not so easy to take it myself! Invariably I find myself behind with the frame making, I’m lucky to have a sensible and organised beekeeping partner in Emma.
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Still bloomless here in Michigan although one daffodil is slowly pushing up a shoot. We usually do not get them until March or even April.
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March would be more normal here too. It may be better for your local wildlife to have the flowers acting as usual.
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You are doing better than we are! The problem down here (South Devon) has been the wet weather which has not been good for flowers, it flattened some of the crocuses. We also have some snowdrops in our garden but they have been partially eaten
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I also found some very bedraggled and soggy crocuses at the apiary, but didn’t post pictures of them!
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Lovely to see the pretty spring flowers. Do you have House Sparrows nearby? They always used to eat my yellow crocuses!
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Probably, though I never see many sparrows about any more. Perhaps it was them that ate Philip’s snowdrops!
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Our plum and apricot trees have started flowering which everybody in the area feels is so early. It really amazed me to see your spring blossom out. It is so early. Amelia
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Wow, plum trees out already. We have magnolias in bloom here too.
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Yes, everything is covered with snowdrops now. And other things are blossoming early (but don’t know the names).
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I walked past a house with lots of snowdrops in pots yesterday, they looked spectacular. I don’t know most of the names either.
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I love that time when the snowdrops bloom…I saw my first blooming azaleas yesterday and I have lilacs that are getting ready to break bud.
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I adore the smell of lilacs! It’s so exciting when all the first flowers start coming out.
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I miss the English seasons, especially the snowy winter that sets the scene for the burgeoning of nature’s spring. Then I love the spring … 🙂
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Love the simple practicality of this blog Emma.
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Thanks for your comment Mark. Every season has its joys. We haven’t had more than a sprinkling of snow yet in London, but maybe February could surprise us yet.
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