StephenW Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Hello If post a link to photos of the place I will be keeping my bees if I get them next year would somebody be able to show me the best place to set the hive? Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Yes, Stephen......go ahead but be prepared for lots of different answers. We need, Apiary..........map showing N E S W (Crickey, I remember Never Eat Shredded Wheat) and surrounding landscape. where you are how many hives I'm sure there may be more................. My three are in a row 1.5m apart on a stand driven into the ground, about a half metre off the ground. All face East, ( South West is supposed to be best?) .........I don't know, at least mine get the morning sun. No tree cover so they get the sun all day. Mid day sun is not significantly hot here in Cumbria. Shelter? I can say is that it is important to have room between them if they are not on individual stands and even then you need room to AS. ALSO think about an OUT APIARY in case you need to move your hives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenW Posted November 10, 2010 Author Share Posted November 10, 2010 Thanks I am in college atm but when I get home I will take photos and put on N E S W. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenW Posted November 12, 2010 Author Share Posted November 12, 2010 http://s914.photobucket.com/albums/ac342/losers1993/Garden/?action=view¤t=P1010015-1.jpg&t=1289569463948 This is the garden an then you can click next to see the other photos. From this picture you can see the garden starts slopeing. Hope this helps Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Here's where I would put it. Well down the garden away from the house at the bottom right hand corner, but not right on top of the fence and the neighbours, and face it South East. Facing South West would put the garden on the flight path. You could put some sort of barrier between the garden and the box. I have willow hurdles at the back of my hives. Make a decent hive stand. I would have room for at least five** hives next to each other. That way you can put two hives on and have room to put roof and supers down to check the brood box and AS each side when you need to; better to have a stand made rather than have to add to it later. ** You need TWO hives and three are better. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenW Posted November 12, 2010 Author Share Posted November 12, 2010 Thanks OPS I hope one hive will do cause I am still a student and wont be starting until next year but I will be starting a beekeeping course so should learn more there. If it goes to the bottom of the garden is that not where frost would likely gather? Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 12, 2010 Share Posted November 12, 2010 Not necessarily. Look where there are frost pockets (if any) this winter. You shouldn't have a hive close to the house that's why I suggested toward the bottom of the garden. One box can be simply stood on a couple of breeze blocks, as long as it's clear of the ground and the damp. If you are sticking to just the one colony you will still need extra kit in case you have to AS. I had a nuc swarm last year even after I did and AS (missed a queen cell ) so I ended up with three hives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenW Posted November 12, 2010 Author Share Posted November 12, 2010 Good idea. O dear more bees more honey but I suppose its more responsiblity and can burn a hole in your pocket. Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 Looking at your picture, I would agree wholeheartedly with OSH's siting suggestions (provided it isn't a frost pocket of course). You are very lucky to have such a lovely big area to play with. My own garden beehive could only really go in one tiny spot due to my long thin garden layout. The bees seem happy enough there anyway. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 I agree that would be a good area to use as well. Lovely garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenW Posted November 16, 2010 Author Share Posted November 16, 2010 Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 You'll have to let us have a picture once your hive is in place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenW Posted November 16, 2010 Author Share Posted November 16, 2010 Yea good idea. Will it do any harm keeping it outside over winter OSH? Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 No none at all . That's where it will live after all. Put a couple of bricks on the roof and close off the entrance with your entrance block turned round. No frames though and leave the floor open. On the other hand it might be nice to put out a fresh new hive in late spring. I keep my spare kit in a little store room and it's lovely to walk in and inhale all that lovely cedar and beeswax. When are you getting your bees? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenW Posted November 17, 2010 Author Share Posted November 17, 2010 Emm well I have been preparing the second hand hive I bought by scorching every single bit of it. So if I were to set the hive outside should I take the frames out? I will probably be getting the bees around april next year. I have applied for a preliminary beekeeping course which starts in Febuary. My grandpa and I also have made a stand for the hive to sit on. Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 I presume the frames are empty. No point in having them in there, just put them somewhere dry before you fill them with foundation next year.If you need any new kit Thornes online sale is on the 29th and the Wragby scrum on the 20th if you live anywhere near. Enjoy your course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenW Posted November 17, 2010 Author Share Posted November 17, 2010 Yeah foundation isnt in them. Unfortunatly im not I live in N Ireland and I see your from Kendal. I was in lake district over summer holidays. Its a lovely place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 I was in lake district over summer holidays. Its a lovely place. It rains a lot and the bees have a hard time. I'm seriously thinking of going over to poly and I'm going to try a box this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenW Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share Posted February 22, 2011 I have started course three weeks ago and enjoying it expecting to get bees in May. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Exciting!!!! Honey next year then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 How exciting . . i'm on a very long waiting list so it may be May 2012 before I get bees. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
