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Beekeeping for Beginners |
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Getting
Started |
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Starting a bee yard, or apiary, involves a relatively small
time commitment and just a few initial purchases. Generally,
it's recommended that you start with at least two colonies.
Having more than one beehive will allow you to assess your
bees' health more accurately through comparison. It's also
a good idea to do lots of research. Browse through the many
books and websites dedicated to beekeeping and don't be alarmed
by the variety of information. Beekeeping is a skill that
has many methods; you will develop yours in time.
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Contact your regional government's agricultural office and ask
for information about local beekeepers' clubs. These organizations
hold meetings often attended by people who are willing to take
you under their wing and invite you to visit their apiaries,
which is the best way to gain insight into beekeeping. You will
be amazed at how excited these experienced beekeepers are about
bees, and how infectious their enthusiasm is. Another way to
meet beekeepers is to check out locally produced honey at the
grocery store. The beekeeper's contact information should be
on the label. |
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Hives
in springtime |
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Location |
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If you live in a rural area, you should find it easy to meet
your bees' habitat needs. Situate your hives near a food source,
such as a field of clover, alfalfa or wildflowers, a pastureland
or an orchard. There should be a nearby water source—a
pond, a stream or a swampy area. If possible, place the hives
in an area near a windbreak in dappled sunlight, for example,
along a hedgerow or a rocky outcrop. Keep in mind that collecting
your honey will be easier if your hives are in an area accessible
by vehicle. |
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Beekeepers don't usually keep all their bees on their own property.
At larger-scale apiaries, hives are placed in various locations
to ensure adequate forage for the bees. So, even if you live
in the city, you may be able to find country dwellers who will
allow you to keep bees on their property. You can pay rent by
giving them some honey at the end of the season; they may also
enjoy the pollination benefits. |
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Honeybees can travel for a radius of up to three miles / 4.8 kilometres
from their hive in search of nectar. Take this into consideration
when placing your bees; if you know the location of another
beekeeper's yard, try not to overlap foraging areas more than
necessary. |
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Other Articles from this Issue |
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