March 2025 Newsletter
Bee Update and Gearing Up for Spring
In early March, we, as beekeepers in Zone 9A, should conduct a thorough inspection of our hives to assess colony strength and overwintering success. We wait for a warm, calm day above 60°F to check for an active queen, evaluate brood patterns, and ensure our bees have sufficient pollen and nectar stores. If stores are low, we provide a 1:1 sugar syrup mixture and a pollen substitute to help stimulate brood production. We also perform a mite check using an alcohol wash or sugar roll—if we find more than 2-3 mites per 100 bees, we know it’s time to consider treatment. As part of our hive maintenance, we remove any dead frames, repair or replace damaged components, and make sure our hives have proper ventilation to support colony health.
With spring swarm season approaching, we stay vigilant for queen cells and take preventive steps like splitting strong colonies or adding extra space to reduce the likelihood of swarming. We keep a close eye on local nectar and pollen sources—such as red maple, clover, and fruit trees—to determine whether supplemental feeding is necessary. We also ensure we have extra hive bodies, frames, and a plan for expansion to maintain smooth hive management throughout the season. By staying proactive and addressing our hive needs early, we set our colonies up for a productive and healthy spring.
What’s Growing On….Establishing Pollinators!
The combination of Milkweed, Gaura, Pincushion, Salvia, Cuphea, African Blue Basil, Northern Spicebush and other natives and flowers we’ve transplanted this spring creates a thriving ecosystem that benefits pollinators and people. Each plant plays a unique role—Milkweed serves as a host for monarch butterflies, while Gaura and Pincushion attract essential pollinators like bees and butterflies. Salvia and Cuphea provide a continuous nectar source, ensuring year-round support for pollinators, and African Blue Basil enhances biodiversity by drawing in beneficial insects. With its fragrant leaves and berries, Northern Spicebush supports local wildlife, contributing to a balanced and self-sustaining environment. It is also a host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail. These plantings strengthen our local food system by increasing pollination, leading to higher yields in our community gardens.
Beyond their ecological benefits, these plants foster a sense of shared stewardship and connection within the community. By working together to establish these transplants, volunteers and gardeners cultivate more than just plants—they cultivate relationships. Planting, tending, and observing the interconnectedness of nature encourages a deeper appreciation for the land and each other. As pollinators move between these plants, spreading life, so does the spirit of collaboration and mutual support among those who nurture this space. Through this project, we are feeding our community with nature’s abundance and building a resilient, interdependent network of people dedicated to sustainability and growth.
Meet a Two Gardeners of TNGP
Amy Campbell and her friend, Rhonda Johnstone, both retired teachers and neighbors, joined TNGP years ago. They enjoy helping each other with their garden beds, meeting other gardeners, and exchanging gardening tips and ideas. Having a garden bed in the community has enabled them to grow some of their own nourishing produce and foster a spirit of generosity by sharing their bountiful harvest with their neighbors. Amy says it is a delight to observe the progress of the plants each week while also enjoying the birds and flowers in the peace of the beautiful outdoors. Rhonda says that tending a garden helps her appreciate life's wondrous cycle by witnessing tiny seeds' miraculous transformation into flourishing, mature plants. Rhonda and Amy say they feel more connected to their community by participating in TNGP.
Katy Cares, Kingsland Baptist Church
Katy Cares, an initiative of Kingsland Baptist Church, shuts down the church once a year, usually in February, and does community projects across the Houston/Katy/Brookshire area. This is their second year helping us with our mission. This past month, we took a transformative step toward environmental stewardship and community engagement by planting Loblolly Pines, Bald Cypress, and Vitex trees and establishing a dedicated pollinator plot. This effort enhances our local ecosystem by providing vital habitats and food sources for wildlife, including bees, butterflies, and birds. These plantings contribute to reforestation and biodiversity and foster sustainability by creating a thriving green space that benefits nature and the surrounding community.
Beyond the ecological impact, this project reflects the power of community-driven collaboration. Volunteers from different backgrounds came together to plant trees, cultivate pollinator-friendly plants, and invest in the long-term health of their environment. By working side by side, individuals build stronger connections, develop a shared sense of responsibility, and inspire one another to take an active role in conservation efforts. This initiative serves as a living testament to how collective action can create lasting change—not just in landscapes but in the hearts and minds of those who participate.
Sowing into the Garden
As we advance our mission across Texas, please join us in sowing seeds of change to transform lives through the garden. Sowing seeds today will guarantee a plentiful harvest tomorrow.
