new forest

[Davelin]

Select them from the smilies box

 

[Thymallus]

Got it, thanks chaps..... I was dragging 'em over..
Ain't it simple when you know how and so damn frustrating when you don't
.

 

[BeeJayBee]

... eg is the bee tent at the NFS any good to learn about beekeeping or not ...

Probably not! Not unless you were advised to book yourself onto a beekeeping course. Do you know what's on offer in the area?

All you'll learn from discussion at any agricultural show will be, at most, a glimpse of the world of beekeeping. It's the same as any display tent - I wouldn't expect to be able to turn wood after visiting the woodturners tent, nor would I be able to keep cattle or sheep after spending time in their show tent and watching a few prize animals in the show ring!

Talking to people on a hot and busy day is not the same as doing a beginners course and learning practical skills in an apiary. It is not the same as having the support from enthusiastic and knowledgeable members of a local association, where beginners may be offered a mentor or will be linked up with a bee buddy for mutual support, and commiserations.

Reading a book or two is marginally better than a chat in a tent, but you'd more likely learn more by reading this thread "So, you are looking to start beekeeping?" http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=14770 and get hold of a beginners book from Amazon or your local library.

Expecting any association to accommodate a newcomer who hasn't followed a course could be challenging, and might lead to disappointment because they are likely to have, say, 20 or more new beekeepers each year who DO take the course. Who would take priority? All trainers, mentors etc are volunteers, with their own bees and their own families, and there is only 'so much' time in a day to give to others.

 

[jonnybeegood]

When i started last year i read Ted Hoopers Bees & Honey from front to back 3 times, understanding a lot more the third time, i done a day beginners course & a lot of what i read clicked into place, there were beginners on the course who hadnt read a book & hadnt a clue & struggled with a lot of it. I did a couple of apiary visits which again i picked up so much & realised more of what the book mentioned. Then i got my bees. & had a good idea of what to do, i introduced 2 packages of bees no problem which thrived. To me read a good book first,(or several as i eventually did) learn from it & build on it with a local Bka & courses. Once you get going you can then join a forum & get ripped to bits for asking stupid questions that you probablly know the answer to, but lacked a bit of confidence so asked.

 

[thenovice]

Been hankering for a while to get into beekeeping, eventually want to build it up as a secondary source of income, but realise that this won't happen overnight

This year's plan to obtain 3 or 4 nucs and gradually build up to managing a full strength colony year 2 and following. First site already agreed on

read Dr Croft's book several times need to spend some time with an experienced beekeeper

Welcome to the club NFB! If you haven't given up on beekeeping yet after all these comments, you'll be just fine. I noticed that people are quick to shoot you down but nobody offered you any help with the last bit: spending time with an experienced beekeeper. I am not experienced and too far away but I hope someone can help you out. as suggested, the best way to get exposure is the local association. As for making a profit with it... Not impossible but it takes a lot of skill and creativity. skill might come with practice. Therefore, start with 1 or 2 nucs this spring but make sure you have gear for when they grow. My first collected swarm i housed in a 14x12 national and it filled it up and swarmed after 8 weeks (it was a big swarm and a very good flow this year...). a swarming colony does not produce much honey. Have support from the community and if you are hooked after your first season, onwards you go!

Good luck!

 

[pargyle]

Welcome to the club NFB! If you haven't given up on beekeeping yet after all these comments, you'll be just fine. I noticed that people are quick to shoot you down but nobody offered you any help with the last bit: spending time with an experienced beekeeper.
Good luck!

I don't think the OP was shot down by anyone - all constructive comments as far as I can see ... I think if the responses from the OP had been a little less arrogant then there are several members in and around South Hampshire who would have been willing to offer assistance ...

But, as the OP was already saying he was going to join an association and 'follow their advice' I rather assumed that he would get all the assistance he would need... and wanted.

 

[user 6228]

If you get the nucs into prepared hives when the bees are ready, the bees will do the rest.
(theyve done it before). The hard part is leaving them alone to get on with it while you mug up on the rest of the knowledge. The really interesting time comes the year after...
If you know you can handle a frame of bees. (i.e. you've done it already) and can get them into the hive from the Nuc then you have done the big part for the beginning of year one.
Going into a the next year with 4 colonies and hitting the first swarming year will be an interesting (i.e. potentially stressful) time.

It may go against the concensus by just getting enough knowledge to get them going, and then enthusiastically catch up on the learning while the colonies build up. But with a bit of luck it may work.(it did with us)

 

[Nige.Coll]

NFB
You said you have a site agreed on already, what type of area is it in and what food sources are close by ?
Will you be putting the nucs anywhere near flowering OSR ?