In the apiary, an average of about 30 hives (30 colonies) are set up together in various locations, all within natural Manuka forests. In winter,  especially, there is frequent rain and limited sunlight, so we clear areas within the Manuka forest to create hive sites. Poor ventilation and low  sunlight are not ideal for bees, as lower temperatures and humidity inside the hives can weaken the bees’ immunity and lead to disease outbreaks. During the clearing process, many Manuka seeds fall, quickly regenerating the forest. So, no matter how much we clear, the Manuka trees  do not become depleted; instead, it promotes forest renewal.

More important than this is the removal of fast-growing weeds that sprout even faster. When hives become overgrown with weeds, ventilation  suffers, so it’s essential to regularly clear the entrance areas to ensure bees can move in and out freely. Like farmers in Japan, we use  small-engine weed trimmers here, but it’s quite a job. Even after cutting the grass, new shoots quickly appear and grow back, requiring us to repeat the task regularly. If the weeds are pulled out by the roots with a weeding hoe, we can reduce the weeding cycle. However, prolonged weeding with a hoe is  hard work. After considering different options, I decided to modify the trimmer so it could be used to pull up newly sprouting weeds by the roots.

Typically, a brush cutter has a circular saw blade or nylon line attached to a high-speed rotating shaft. By rotating it close to the ground and  moving it in a fan shape from side to side, weeds are trimmed at the base. For this modification, I attached a strong iron plate to the rotating  shaft. Near each end of this plate, I drilled holes and inserted two 10mm diameter bolts, each about 5cm long, securing them firmly with nuts.  I immediately tried it out to see how it would perform.

When I placed the two bolts attached to the high-speed rotating brush cutter into the soil, it created an intense cloud of dust, churning  the soil and blasting weed sprouts from their roots. However, without a guide, it was extremely dangerous; pebbles and other debris were  flying directly at me. Despite this, I was satisfied with the experimental results. To improve safety, I plan to cut and weld a thin metal sheet  to create a guide bar that will direct debris forward, preventing it from flying back towards me. As I need to prioritize responses to inquiries from customers in Japan, I only have limited time to work on this weeding project. But once  completed, I believe it will greatly improve efficiency. The real appeal of DIY is the thrill of testing one’s own ideas to see if they work as intended.