sandyjet62
New Bee
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2010
- Messages
- 19
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- South Wales
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 1
Hi all,
After lots of reading on this forum and others, I have decided to have a go at beekeeping next year. I have bought a flat pack hive and intend to copy it for a second. Up to lesson 6 at the local association meetings. Got permission to keep bees on my allotment and ordered a nuc for when they are ready next year.
Probably due to info overload (though I know all will be covered by association meetings) I am confused as to how many colonies I should start with. I have read loads where the advice has been to start with one, so knowledge grows with colony development but also, that it is better to start with 2 in case 1 fails. Also, I have read that it is easy to increase your bee colonies by using the natural swarming instinct of bees, yet others say it is best to prevent swarming. As these questions seems to be at the front of my mind at the moment and I can't seem to find the answers elsewhere, I am hoping someone could enlighten me.
Thanks in advance.
After lots of reading on this forum and others, I have decided to have a go at beekeeping next year. I have bought a flat pack hive and intend to copy it for a second. Up to lesson 6 at the local association meetings. Got permission to keep bees on my allotment and ordered a nuc for when they are ready next year.
Probably due to info overload (though I know all will be covered by association meetings) I am confused as to how many colonies I should start with. I have read loads where the advice has been to start with one, so knowledge grows with colony development but also, that it is better to start with 2 in case 1 fails. Also, I have read that it is easy to increase your bee colonies by using the natural swarming instinct of bees, yet others say it is best to prevent swarming. As these questions seems to be at the front of my mind at the moment and I can't seem to find the answers elsewhere, I am hoping someone could enlighten me.
Thanks in advance.