Newbie, about to jump in to the deep end

[Robbo8916]

Oh and I have enough parts for three further hives than the one I have already assembled just incase lol

 

[dpearce4]

Jon. Like you, I began with this book. I've also spent hours watching YouTube videos. I went to one local bee keeping club - they were very nice and very welcoming but inevitably everyone wants to say something and the pace of learning was frustratingly slow. Books and YouTube are the best and fastest ways to acquire some knowledge. Acquiring experience takes time so find someone who will help. This place is the other great resource for a new beekeeper.

Having spent the winter buying the necessary bits and pieces, today I collected my first colony from Clive in South Yorkshire (search buckfastyorkshirebees) £300 for a colony which will hopefully give me some honey this year. Clive is very helpful and his bees are very calm and gentle.

My advice is just get on with it.

I'm quite shocked you got your bees now as its very early in the spring. there is still a possibility that they could still not make it. Was it one of his 6 frame nuc hives as advertised on his website? if so you will need to put them into a full hive mid april/early may depending on strength other wise they will swarm.

 

[Fatbee]

I would hope at £300 it's a full sized colony! Although if it's strong - which it should be if it's been sold to you - then you will need to take a quick learning curve if the spring is good and they build up quickly.

 

[BeeJuice]

Yes. I appreciate it is early but I take it on trust that the colony is strong. Judging by the weight the BB is pretty full. I've helped a friend recently move seven hives and mine weighed more than any of his.

I have a helpful and experienced bee buddy who will be on hand. I'm not going at this alone and wouldn't recommend anyone else to.

 

[wessexmario]

do be sceptical with beekeeping videos on Youtube...

While there are plenty of good videos, there are also many that unintentionally show you how not to do it... the problem when starting out is knowing which is which