Beehive Tour

The Bartlett Bee Whisperer, David Glover, gives us a tour of a beehive and gives some beekeeping tips. Like all beekeepers he uses smoke. Smoke alerts the bees but it overpowers their method of communication, pheromones.  It also prompts some bees to start sucking up as much honey as they can to save some from the fire. This makes these bees unable to sting. Using a hive tool David opens up the beehive. This hive was recently removed from a house and he wants to check to make sure it is doing well. He shows some comb that has fresh nectar in it, so the bees are active. He also shows drones that are in the hive and explains what purpose they serve. One of his reasons for checking on the hive is to make sure there is a laying queen present that can perpetuate the hive. David finds her and sees her laying eggs.

Related Resources:
Beekeeping Tips for Beginners
Agricultural Alternatives: Beekeeping
Honey Bees and Beekeeping

Food for Bird Feeders

This week in the garden Debbie Bruce from Wild Birds Unlimited talks about which birds you can attract to your yard with seed birdfeeders and suet feeders.  >>Watch

Other things to do
This Week In the Garden

Removing Suckers from the Trunk of an Oak Tree​
Moving Fire Ants Without Chemicals
Tying up Tomato Plants
Spring Butterfly Garden Clean-Out
TWIG–Did the Soil Drench Work?

Wildflowers
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Andy Williams from Lichterman Nature Center talks about three of his favorite native wildflowers: baptisia, purple cone flower, and New England aster.  >>Watch

The Q & A Show
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This week we are answering viewer questions. Click below to watch or get more information about any of the questions we answered.  >>Watch

Gardening in 5-Gallon Buckets

f you don’t have the space or time for an in-ground garden, planting vegetables in five-gallon buckets is a great option. UT Extension County Director Walter Battle shows how... Watch>>

Easy to Grow Herbs
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An herb is any useful plant, but most often they are used to flavor food. Reni Erskine, president of the Memphis Herb Society talks about four easy-to-grow herbs and how she grows them.​  >>Watch

Planting Sweet Potatoes
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Sweet potatoes are a great addition to the southern garden. UT Extension County Director Walter Battle shows how to plant them  >>Watch

Gardening Ergonomics
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Gardening is great exercise and involves a lot of lifting, twisting and bending, which if not done correctly can cause back problems. UT Extension Agent Andrea Jacobo shows correct ways to... >>Watch

Viewer Questions

Why did safer soap cause black spots on my
​pepper leaves?

The problem is phytotoxicity. The soap residue on the plant leaves caused burning. Certain plants are more sensitive than others. Do not spray safer soap during the heat of the day.  >>Watch

What is this yellow stuff covering my milkweed ?
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Andy Williams from Lichterman Nature Center identifies these as oleander aphids. They are very prevalent this year. They are non-native pests that love to feed on milkweed. They reproduce rapidly by cloning.    >>Watch

What is this weed? Chameleon Plant
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Houttuynia cordata has several common names: Chameleon Plant, hootenanny. Andy Williams from Lichterman Nature Center says there are many variations in the leaves of this plant...  >>Watch

When can I plant elephant ears? Can they grow in pots?

Elephant ears are tropical plants that can overwinter in the right conditions. If they are in favorable conditions (hot, humid, wet soil, and part-sun) they get...  >>Watch

What is eating holes in my green bean leaves?
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This is the damage of the bean leaf beetles. They feed on the underside of leaves and like tender plant tissue. They look kind of like ladybugs, some have spots ... >>Watch

More Questions & Answers

• What are the cultural practices to get rid of moss?
  
• Will aerating, liming, and using organic fertilizer help with weed control in our yard?
  
• Can I recycle expired milk or juice into my garden?
  
• Are you familiar with Loquat and is it something found in Arkansas or Tennessee?
  
• When is the best time to plant tomatoes?
  
• What is the best way to get rid of moles in your lawn?
  

Other Questions and Answers