#3GoodThings – #26

(Written Feb. 13, 2019)

My hands smell like linseed oil and at the same time, it both brings back memories of yesteryear and evokes a certain hope for the future.

Let me tell you about…

Today’s #3GoodThings

Let’s begin with the forward-looking GoodThing related to linseed oil. Today the temps got up to 12 degrees (remember… it’s Feb. 13th as I’m writing) and the bees were bringing in lots of pollen again. I had a few spare minutes so I coated two new hive boxes with linseed oil to help protect them from the elements before installing them. Many beekeepers use paint, but not only is linseed oil used more here generally speaking, but among Warré Hive users, it’s even more common given that it’s a slightly more natural preservant than paint (see photo below). Looking forward to building up the hive! Hope, is a GoodThing.
I don’t know if this counts or not, but the second GoodThing I’ll mention is really something from the past… a good memory. We used to have wooden door-casings at our house and again, rather than painting them, once each year, my mom would coat them with linseed oil to keep the wood from drying out. I remember not particularly appreciating the smell at the time, but it’s a fond memory now.
I also got to put my hands in the dirt a bit today, which is therapeutic for me. There were a number of cuttings that I’d picked up here & there, over the past bit, and have been intending to root. So today I dug out my rooting hormone and stuck them in one of several rooting pots that I have on the go. In my opinion, rooting hormone is one of a gardener’s best friends… as you trim a plant or shrub, many of those trimmings can be rooted for more (free) plants! More… and Free… are always GoodThings!!