 Pollinators visiting newly emerged Narrowleaf mountain mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium). Photo by Eric Malcolm, June 16, 2026, Beltsville, MD. | Time in the Yard: 0 minutes Time in the Barn: 8 hours Total Colonies: 67 Temperature (°F): Hi: 92° Low: 54° Avg: 73.8° Total Precipitation: 0.37” |
Actions:
We scraped and cleaned boxes (n=20) of old stored medium frames and foundation that had damaged wax comb. We also applied fresh beeswax to the foundation in preparation to add space to growing packages.
Observations:
Cleaning and waxing the foundation took much longer than expected. Our plot of Narrowleaf Mountain Mint, planted 2 years ago, have just started to bloom in our wildflower plot for the first time!
Reflections:
It would have taken less time but more money to replace the damage wax comb foundations with new, waxed foundation. We still felt good about the time spent because we were able to reuse the old plastic and not send it to the landfill.
Things in bloom:
Russian Sage, Dutch Clover, Red Clover, Elderberry, Sweet Yellow Clover, White Sweetclover, Golden Raintree, Chicory, Basswood, Common Cinquefoil, Yucca (Adam's Needle), Oakleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea, Common Yarrow, Magnolia, Purple Crown Vetch, Daisy Fleabane, Mullein, Orange Day-lily, Mimosa tree, Narrowleaf Mountain Mint, Clustered Mountain Mint, Virginia Mountain Mint, Chinese Chestnut, Queen Anne’s Lace, Crepe Myrtle, Staghorn Sumac, Winged Sumac, St. John’s Wort
We scraped and cleaned boxes (n=20) of old stored medium frames and foundation that had damaged wax comb. We also applied fresh beeswax to the foundation in preparation to add space to growing packages.
Observations:
Cleaning and waxing the foundation took much longer than expected. Our plot of Narrowleaf Mountain Mint, planted 2 years ago, have just started to bloom in our wildflower plot for the first time!
Reflections:
It would have taken less time but more money to replace the damage wax comb foundations with new, waxed foundation. We still felt good about the time spent because we were able to reuse the old plastic and not send it to the landfill.
Things in bloom:
Russian Sage, Dutch Clover, Red Clover, Elderberry, Sweet Yellow Clover, White Sweetclover, Golden Raintree, Chicory, Basswood, Common Cinquefoil, Yucca (Adam's Needle), Oakleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea, Common Yarrow, Magnolia, Purple Crown Vetch, Daisy Fleabane, Mullein, Orange Day-lily, Mimosa tree, Narrowleaf Mountain Mint, Clustered Mountain Mint, Virginia Mountain Mint, Chinese Chestnut, Queen Anne’s Lace, Crepe Myrtle, Staghorn Sumac, Winged Sumac, St. John’s Wort
A large plot of Narrowleaf Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) planted in the Fall of 2024, grows and blooms for the first time. Photo by Eric Malcolm, June 16, 2026, Beltsville, MD.