The annual vinyl covering of the kumquat greenhouse.

This year, the work was undertaken by all the beekeeping staff, and is a seasonal feature of autumn SUGI BEE GARDEN.

SUGI BEE GARDEN has its own kumquat greenhouses in six locations in Kita-ku, Kumamoto City.

Covering a total of 34 greenhouses with vinyl is a daunting task.

The entire process is done by hand, beginning at 6am, before the sun has even risen.

Around noon, the sun shone brightly as if we had gone back to summer, causing the beekeeping staff to sweat.

In the morning we cover it with plastic, and in the afternoon we tie string to the pipes of the greenhouse to secure the whole thing in place.

This year it took place over about four days.

A greenhouse protecting 1,250 kumquat trees.

Due to the extreme heat this year, the number of fruits is slightly less than usual, but we hope that they will ripen sweeter.

(An off-shot of the beekeeping club staff. They have lovely smiles.)