“The bee is domesticated but not tamed.” ~ William Longgood A week and a half ago I put out a feeder to see if the bees were hungry. Also a week and a half ago the Gulf Coast hadn’t plunged into sub-freezing temps. Though a lesser version of their summer splendor, flowers were still bloomingContinue reading “January 2nd: Hangry and armed with a Stinger”
Tag Archives: farm life
January 1st: Have a Plan
“You will either step forward into growth, or you will step backward into safety.” ~ Abraham Maslow In 2020 my husband and I purchased what would become Big Branch Apiary, roughly 46 acres of dense, ancient forest nestled against a wildlife refuge an hour’s drive north from New Orleans. Within two years of purchasing theContinue reading “January 1st: Have a Plan”
How to prune a pear
This thorough, to-the-point video by Gary L. Heilig gives the how, when, and why of pruning pear trees. He also gives some excellent recco’s on tools as well. While this video is about pruning a large pear the wisdom also applies to other food-producing trees. Enjoy by clicking here!
Open , but by “appointment”
The blueberry season was a bit short, likely due to the heat but we still have lots of local honey and plenty of fresh eggs. Someone is usually at the farm but before you make the drive, check in just in case we’re not manned. You can call or text 985-422-0880 to make arrangements forContinue reading “Open , but by “appointment””
We’re open…
…in spite of the heat, rain, deer flies, & state “bird” we’re open every Tuesday & Saturday, or by appointment, until the blueberry harvest is done. Right now the bushes are LOADED! We also have eggs, and honey–raw, local, pure–pulled from the hives this week. See you on the farm!
Open 4 Biz!
Big Branch Apiary will finally open for picking this Saturday, June 4th, 2022. Today we picked blueberries in real quantities. It took three of us an hour to pick two gallons. Advertised hours have changed: we’ll open 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturdays & Tuesdays. It’s highly recommended you call or text us at 985-422-0880Continue reading “Open 4 Biz!”
USDA bulletin on the avian flu outbreak.
Are egg prices fixing to soar? https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAFARMERS/bulletins/313953e At Big Branch Apiary we yoke (yolk) our prices to the cost of feed and strive to keep the cost down. A dozen of our fresh, free-range*, organic eggs sells for $5. Have Qs? Email us at bigbranchapiary@gmail.com or text us at 985-422-0880 for more info.
The balance sheet of love.
“Sometimes,’ said Pooh, ‘the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” Today broke peaceful; fog-muted, bathed in pastels. A morning crisp but just barely. A beautiful and perfect day. Except that it wasn’t. Today was the last day we had with Teazel. Teazel is–was–a lionhearted Jack Russel not much bigger than aContinue reading “The balance sheet of love.”
Pollen feed-frenzy
I can’t stress enough the value of having an experienced mentor when you take on beekeeping. I had never considered putting pollen out for our girls until prompted by my #Hivesforheroes mentor, Scott Steele. At first I put the pollen he gave me out just to be polite, so when he asked if I hadContinue reading “Pollen feed-frenzy”
Big Branch Apiary meets Hurricane Ida
First, let me say we weathered Ida without losing a single bee or feather from the flock. It’s been a week since Hurricane Ida tore through southeast Louisiana. I’m sitting here on the steps of our RV, our home until we get the barn up, sipping coffee to the hum of generators. The weather isContinue reading “Big Branch Apiary meets Hurricane Ida”
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