- Joined
- Jul 23, 2009
- Messages
- 36,515
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- Location
- Ceredigion
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 6
No 75. The 150 is the planDo you have 150 hives?
If you look under our avatars you can see the number of hives a member has
No 75. The 150 is the planDo you have 150 hives?
You only has 70 last time I looked ... have you done some more splits ?No 75. The 150 is the plan
If you look under our avatars you can see the number of hives a member has
Where or how will you learn, Bron?learning curve
Hi Eric, well I have joined my local bee keeping club. Obviously with covid I haven't been to a meeting yet. But when it's possible hopefully I will get to view other people hives get some hands on experience. and do some courses I've chatted with a couple of members and they seem really lovely and helpful. In the meantime I will read some books, read this forum and eventually take the plunge, which I suspect is when the real learning happensWhere or how will you learn, Bron?
Don't overlook Youtube (though do bee careful, there's a lot of crap on there)In the meantime I will read some books, read this forum and eventually take the plunge, which I suspect is when the real learning happens
Some are far more experienced bee keepers than others so be careful look for facts not self promotion. Some talk from experience which I find is the best oneDon't overlook Youtube (though do bee careful, there's a lot of crap on there)
Black Mountain Honey
Norfolk Honey Company
BIBBA
Those should keep you busy for a while!
If you plan on starting reasonably soon it could be worth your while going to the BBKA Convention at Newport, Shropshire (Google for it). Stuff for sale and talks by experts but you may need to book.Hi Eric, well I have joined my local bee keeping club. Obviously with covid I haven't been to a meeting yet. But when it's possible hopefully I will get to view other people hives get some hands on experience. and do some courses I've chatted with a couple of members and they seem really lovely and helpful. In the meantime I will read some books, read this forum and eventually take the plunge, which I suspect is when the real learning happens
Thank you for these links. The web and youtube can be a mine of misinformation and you have just saved me hours of trawling, which is much appreciated.Don't overlook Youtube (though do bee careful, there's a lot of crap on there)
Black Mountain Honey
Norfolk Honey Company
BIBBA
Those should keep you busy for a while!
TBH I doubt I will be actually purchasing bees this year. I plan to spend it learning as much as possible and I really want to gain plenty of hands on experience if possible first, but thanks for letting me know about the ConventionIf you plan on starting reasonably soon it could be worth your while going to the BBKA Convention at Newport, Shropshire (Google for it). Stuff for sale and talks by experts but you may need to book.
Very wise decision, Bron. Find yourself a mentor, someone who may appreciate an off of help as you learn.TBH I doubt I will be actually purchasing bees this year. I plan to spend it learning as much as possible and I really want to gain plenty of hands on experience if possible first, but thanks for letting me know about the Convention
Sounds lovely, just one thing, dont have compost bins and bees too close to eachother, bees dont appreciate the smell and can become defensive and attack when you turn your compost, just as they can ping you if you are digging your vegetable patch and get a bit sweaty. I learned this from experience with otherwise gentle bees.Hi, I am new to this forum and as yet do not have any bees. I am trying to learn as much as possible before I embark on this fascinating hobby. My grandfather kept bees when I was a very young child so I cant say I learnt a lot from him. But I do remember that he really loved them and I would hang around whilst he was tending to them. I didn't wear a suit or any protection!! Yet I only ever got stung once, on my thumb and that was my fault for trying to pick up a bee
I am at present laying out a fruit and veg garden which in total will be 20mx30m and earmarking a 3m x 10m area for the bees. I have stone walls with hawthorn hedge above to shelter them on the south and west sides. I am planning to keep my compost bins at one end up against the barn wall and the rest is for the bees. There will be lots of fruit and cherry trees and bushes plus bulbs and perennials through out the area. It is surrounded by fields and about 300m from my house where I have 2 large ponds.
Does this sound like a feasible area to eventually house a hive or two?
Many thanks in anticipation of your advice
This was part of my point when I recommended not having them in the garden.Sounds lovely, just one thing, dont have compost bins and bees too close to eachother, bees dont appreciate the smell and can become defensive and attack when you turn your compost, just as they can ping you if you are digging your vegetable patch and get a bit sweaty. I learned this from experience with otherwise gentle bees.
better off going to the WBKA convention at Llanelwedd near Llanfair ym Muallt (AKA Builth Wells) in Powysit could be worth your while going to the BBKA Convention at Newport, Shropshire
and what has compost bins got to do with the price of coal? at the garden apiary, the mating nuc entrances and two pairs of hives are within feet of and facing two compost heaps, the bees actually have to fly over the heaps to get anywhereI disagree ….and you didn’t say anything about the compost bins.
Having bees in the garden is a wonderful thing if you have no neighbours. I know a few commercial beekeepers who still like to keep bees where they can see them. So it’s not just us hobbyists
Aye it is I'm not denying that, BUT how practical is it? Even without neibours.I disagree ….and you didn’t say anything about the compost bins.
Having bees in the garden is a wonderful thing if you have no neighbours. I know a few commercial beekeepers who still like to keep bees where they can see them. So it’s not just us hobbyists
Not often and you’ve just said you have them metres from your garden.The amount of times I've read on here of folk having issues with garden hives.
The ideal scenario would be working with and learning from your mentor, who makes sure you have a colony of your own to take into winter.That's what I am hoping for eventually. A mentor I can initially learn from, help them out with their bees and when I get mine be there for advice etc
Haven't got a passport for Wales!! And don't intend to ever get one either. Too many sheep over there that nobody owns until one knocks one over.better off going to the WBKA convention at Llanelwedd near Llanfair ym Muallt (AKA Builth Wells) in Powys
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