HONEY ?

@Urmstongran &annodomini and ceanothus smells of honey when it blooms. Beautiful!

That's a magnificent ceanothus, Urmstongran. I did have one but managed to kill it by over-pruning. I need to re-stock my garden following the destruction caused by a flood last year. Maybe another ceanothus. Great for the bees and I'd enjoy it too.

No beekeepers but my neighbour is a 'bee enthusiast' and gives talks on bees.
She walked around my garden pointing out which flowers bees would like in particular.

The lovely Bill Turnbull is a beekeeper and gives talks, unfortunately I was away when he visited here.

I try to buy local honey.

Also last year, my H and I were gardening when we heard a loud buzzing noise getting louder and louder. When I looked up I saw a massive swarm heading straight for us! It was an incredible sight, mesmerising, but we rushed indoors and watched from the safety of the house! They were hovering above the greenhouse for quite a time, but luckily for us, they decided to search for a better place to set up home!

We have a local beekeeper, who sells honey, so I would have contacted them if the swarm had decided they liked the idea of setting up home in the greenhouse!

Last year I rescued a bee from a spider's web just before the spider pounced on it. I tried to carefully remove the bits of web that it had become entangled in, but was so worried that I'd end up doing more harm than good that I thought I'd wait and see if the bee could help itself.

That little creature spent I don't know how long carefully and meticulously disentangling itself until almost every vestige of web was removed and I managed to remove the few pieces that were left using tweezers. I gave it a drink of honey water, as it must have been exhausted and then after a short rest if flew away. It affected me so deeply that it brought tears to my eyes - nature is indeed wonderful!

Oh that is a beautiful ceonothus Urmstongran, I have plant envy!!! We lost ours when we had to replace a fence and for some strange reason cannot grow another one in the same place?

When we had a garden I planted a ceanothus. The bees loved it!

So that's why some honey is cheap and some expensive! Will look for a UK label if not local produce, which seems to help hay fever too, from now on!

My neighbour keeps bees and I try and plant lots of things to keep them happy!
We buy his beautiful honey.
It’s just so lovely to have such natural, sustainable, local and delicious produce.

Very interesting Marmight. My neighbour works with someone who keeps bees and sells the honey, so I have a supply of local honey. I do have to limit myself to just a little each day though as it's too delicious, but I think it's the reason I haven't had a single cold this winter, so far.

I bought Christmas gifts of seeds for plants attracting bees and hope to be attracting more bees into my garden. We must do our bit, as I'm sure we've all read the dire warnings if bees die out completely.

I also bought little nesting boxes for insects, although I've read they're not that effective. I'm still going to put mine in the garden and wait and see.

The builders developing land next to my home bulldozed farm sheds and destroyed a bees nest even after a neighbour had told them it was there.

I have been getting Manuka and Lifemel as they help after chemo. I also use a honey based shampoo and face wash. Bees are amazing!

Thanks for posting this Marmight, I will check out the label next time I buy some.