New member...

[Mondo]

Hi, just joined here today.
I’m happy to say I’m gonna start beekeeping, hopefully this year. I only know what I’ve researched in the last two days so stick with me if I ask a dumb question. Can’t wait to get at it. Gonna do a 10 week course but doesn’t start till March. I know if I get a NUC I’d have to order soon...(I think).

 

[Murox]

Hello and welcome. Keep reading, keep researching & join a local association. Get some hands on experience before ordering/buying anything.
This forum is full of experience, knowledge and mistakes - you can learn a lot.
There are no "dumb questions", just knowledge gaps - and most of us have got quite a few of those, I certainly do..

 

[Mondo]

Thanks Murox. I thought it was optimistic to get started this year coming. Joining association in Jan. beginners course at college in March. I’m itching to get started!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

There are no "dumb questions",

but be prepared for a few dumb answers

 

[Murox]

but be prepared for a few dumb answers

Yes I forgot about those - probably a knowledge gap or maybe just getting long in the tooth.

 

[drex]

Through your course or association you may get a free or cheap nuc. I would not dream of paying £200 + for a nuc, as most of us end up with too many bees at the end of the season. As above I suggest hands on experience and lots of reading before getting bees though. There would still be plenty of time left for you to get a full colony going this year.
Enjoy.

 

[Murox]

Thanks Murox. I thought it was optimistic to get started this year coming. Joining association in Jan. beginners course at college in March. I’m itching to get started!

Not necessarily over optimistic - May/June by the time you have completed your course and you will have had the chance to get 'hands on', attending some association meetings and hopefully find a mentor - and will have discovered a lot more by then too -- just be sure this really is for you, start up costs are high and you are dealing with 'livestock'.

 

[madasafish]

 

[Swarm]

Don't dive in, take some time to work with a mentor and his/her bees after your course. At some point in the summer, no doubt there will be splits from colonies, hopefully your mentor will supply you with one of these and you can then start your beekeeping with some valuable, gained experience and bees that you know.

 

[blackcloud]

Welcome
Be careful about internet advice as it is unpoliced.and usually contradictory.The answers you get may not have been given with full understanding of your query and/or you may not understand fully what is being said and go off to make a big mistake.
As previously posted try to get one mentor and stick with their guidance until you're confident to try things your way.

That said you can get sound advice online and this forum is finally a fairly nice place to be thanks to good moderator presence....

 

[Erichalfbee]

but be prepared for a few dumb answers

Dumb question from me
What’s that on your finger? A stingless bee?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Don't dive in, take some time to work with a mentor and his/her bees after your course. At some point in the summer, no doubt there will be splits from colonies, hopefully your mentor will supply you with one of these and you can then start your beekeeping with some valuable, gained experience and bees that you know.

Great thing to practice lots on somebody else’s bees

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Dumb question from me
What’s that on your finger?

I don't get that tanned on my Africa travels!
It's a stingless bee on Innocent Mkasu's finger - first day of our Selous/Nyasa beekeeping safari

 

[Erichalfbee]

I don't get that tanned on my Africa travels!
It's a stingless bee on Innocent Mkasu's finger - first day of our Selous/Nyasa beekeeping safari

Cool
Prompting me to change my avatar.
Nobody has any Christmas ones up yet

 

[Millet]

Hi, just joined here today.
I’m happy to say I’m gonna start beekeeping, hopefully this year. I only know what I’ve researched in the last two days so stick with me if I ask a dumb question. Can’t wait to get at it. Gonna do a 10 week course but doesn’t start till March. I know if I get a NUC I’d have to order soon...(I think).

I have little stingers north and south of you.. roughly where are you..welcome by the way..

 

[pargyle]

Don't dive in, take some time to work with a mentor and his/her bees after your course. At some point in the summer, no doubt there will be splits from colonies, hopefully your mentor will supply you with one of these and you can then start your beekeeping with some valuable, gained experience and bees that you know.

A warm welcome to the best beekeeping forum on the planet and some excellent advice from swarm above. If you dip in here regularly you will soon sort out those people whose advice you can safely follow and those that will lead you astray. Fortunately, there's a lot of the former and only a few of the latter.

Get reading there's a lot to take on board.

 

[Mondo]

I had no idea a NUC costs £200 dear god! But yeah, I’ll join association and do a course before I invest anything in NUC’s or hives. Had been thinking of a ‘flow’ to get started but concerned that if honey is thick I won’t get it out?! Guess that’s something for later down the road though.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Had been thinking of a ‘flow’ to get started

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Unless you like sitting next to the campfire throwing bundles of tenners on the flames.

 

[Murox]

Mondo---"Had been thinking of a ‘flow’ to get started"-----

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Unless you like sitting next to the campfire throwing bundles of tenners on the flames.

and

Mondo please, do some reading about the various hives available.
Do you want vertical or horizontal ? Do you want compatibility between the frames and hives you use and those of other keepers in your area? If you think a nuc is expensive, which it is, have a look at he cost of a proper flow hive - not a Chinese or other knock off from eBay or amazon.( and its spare parts & accessories).
I would urge you not to think further about a flow hive.

 

[XYZ]

I had no idea a NUC costs £200 dear god! But yeah, I’ll join association and do a course before I invest anything in NUC’s or hives. Had been thinking of a ‘flow’ to get started but concerned that if honey is thick I won’t get it out?! Guess that’s something for later down the road though.

Whereabouts roughly are you? I'm between Durham and Darlington so possibly not too far away