AKRON, Colo. — We have another exciting year coming with lots of educational programs and demonstrations planned. Come join us! We welcome any beekeeper whether you are a hobbyist, a beginner or advanced. We enjoy sharing information about our experiences with the challenges and rewards of being a High Plains Beekeeper.
The first meeting is coming up September 24, 2022, at 10:00 AM in Holyoke at Highline Electric. We will be giving educational tips on “Getting Ready for Winter” and “Options for Handling Varroa Mites”.
The second meeting will be December 3, 2022, at 10:00 AM in Yuma and location will be announced later. This meeting will entail learning about the “Unique Tools for Beekeeping” and examining those that are worth it and those that are not. Tell us what worked or didn’t work. Please share any innovative “tool” that you created.
The third meeting will be January 28, 2023, at 10:00 AM in Burlington and the location will be announced closer to the event. We are inviting a speaker from the Colorado State Beekeeping Association who will come to talk to us about a topic to be announced later. We will share issues and problems we faced through the summer with our hive. We will again hold a honey tasting. So, bring your honey.
The fourth meeting will be March 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM in Wray and the location will be announced closer to the event. Educational topics we will cover are “Starting the Year Off Right with Your Bees” and a Beekeeping Swap Shop. Do you have anything you want to sell or get rid of?
The High Plains Community Beekeepers Club is still offering seed packets of a western seed mix that will help us all build more bee habitat in our yards. The seed packets have both annuals and perennials in the mix. This is a full sun mix that is to be broadcast over 100 square feet. October and November is an ideal time to plant the seed for a cold treatment which helps force germination.
Another option for germinating the seed mix is to get a flat with a light, well-draining soil mix and place the seed on top. Add a light sprinkling of soil on top or sand and place it outside in a protected area. Water it well before you place it outside and check it regularly. The seed will germinate in the flat. When there is enough of a root system, you can transplant the seedlings breaking apart sections of the flat. You can germinate the seed in more than one flat if you like so the seed are not so condensed.
If you are interested in a seed packet, please feel free to contact Melissa Kleweno at Health Essentials or the following Colorado State University Extension Offices: Yuma County ask for JoLynn Midcap, Washington County ask for Jeannie Lambertson, Phillips County ask for Carrie Anderson and Sedgwick County ask for Linda Langelo.
Be sure to order your bee supplies in January and pre-order bee packages or nucs, if you are interested in raising bees for the first time. There are suppliers in Denver, Colorado or Cheyenne, Wyoming. By joining the club, you can get recommendations and help from members on Facebook called High Plains Community Beekeepers Club.
If you want to reach out and connect and learn more about High Plains Beekeeping Club, please contact the following people:
Melissa Kleweno by email: melissa@relaxingyou.com Jolynn Midcap by email: Jolynn.midcap@colostate.edu
–Colorado State university Extension