No problem with "some" of them surviving in your zone. Hope that "many" do not! I've got "many" that were born, raised and have been actively breeding for many years. Last year the big boys (large-ish Koi - >20 inches) pushed many of the comets into somewhat shallower water....lost about a dozen or so and was very happy to help restore a bit of balance. The big boys seemed to have eaten most of anything that was under two inches! I've had ice on the pond between 14" and 18" thick. Gotta love zone 4!!! ---David

I am going into my third year, and when I started I started with all new materials. Last year, my second, I switched out a few of the worst looking frames and replaced the foundation. Last summer's honey production was poor. I took no honey, although I could have gotten a few pounds, I didn't get around to it. So the bees went into winter with some stores, in addition to my keeping them in sugar water from early fall to as late as I could get out the hive. My beekeeper/supplier said that most of the honey producers here west of Boston had a terrible crop: way too much rain way too late into the season. We did insulate the hive: made a rigid insulation box to fit right over the hive. No insulation on top, and bottom space with mouse guard open. However, frigid weather came before christmas (very early) and the insulation was not put on by then. Their sugar water supply was in, though. In January and Feb. as I said extended periods of subzero weather. In January we have always had a "January thaw". This year, not. Inspecting the hive on a warm day two weeks ago, the brood chamber looked good: healthy dark, drawn foundation, no dead brood. The upper foundation showed a mistake I made early in the season. When I took out a couple of frames for the can of sugar water that comes with a new package, I never removed the can and replaced the frames. Those bees did what comes naturally and made a beautiful mess of burr comb. in that open space between the frames in upper box. But, the hive was happy and healthy. I fed the bees beginning in mid fall. The sugar water was not in a big can; I think it was a 16 oz. jar. They emptied one and a half between late fall and spring. Since I did not get out to hive for quite a while, I don't know when they stopped feeding, which would give a good indication of when they died. But they did not get to empty the second jar. I am pretty sure they did not have mites in the fall. I did not medicate for mites, however. The queen was in the upper chamber, surrounded by a good number of bees. All dead. Obviously. They really looked frozen- I mean embalmed. I At that point I took 6 pounds of honey and left, I guess, 3 on partially filled foundations. I did not have a single full foundation of honey. Markedly less than my first year. And yes, I have one hive, and my supplier recommends that I get another, too, and have two. I'm not too discouraged, but my husband feels really bad. Now that sentimentality surprises me! He really thinks we killed them somehow. I don't. Hope I haven't tried your patience with my missive. That's the story of Marie's bees 08. I'm very interested in your own thoughts and any suggestions about how to have a more successful season and overwintering in '10. Marie

Don't do anything until fall. You may continue to be surprised. Wait and see to what extent it recovers. Before the deciduous leaf drop, you will know what is alive. You could gently cut into the cambian bark layer also to look for green. Then prune back all the dead growth. You will need to train a new central leader to get back your height from one of the most vertical new branches. It can take years to reconstruct a lace leaf JM since they are relatively slow growers. I would feed it lightly to help. the recovery with an acid fertilizer unless you native soil is acid already.

My first topiary is a Teddy Bear sitting on top of a yellow round pottery container, with the word "Hunnee" written on it. (Still need to take a picture of it.) He (named him Fuzzie Wuzzie, to prove that hairless doesn't mean "fuzzless, LOL) is peat moss filled with just a little ivy on him so far. The problem is that I'm in zone 6 and obviously want to have him and the ivy survive during the winter, but just finally finished him two days ago. I know ivy is perennial this far north, but not so sure how well it will do outside in a container (covered by one heavy teddy bear.) I brought my ivy into the house last winter. I have an unheated porch, which will keep them a little warmer then keeping them outside. I'm hoping that someone can teach me how to care for the two of them through the winter. Any hints are appreciated. Also, I doubt this question has ever been asked before, but, as long as the ivy doesn't cover Fuzzie's head by Christmas, is it OK to crochet a Santa's cap for him?