WHERE DO I START?
So you've decided to take up beekeeping.
The First thing thats recommended is to get along to your local association meetings. These not only will give you hands-on experience with bees and a place to learn some of the tricks of the trade, but it's a fun way to meet many people who will have a great passion for beekeeping (often, some will have been beekeepers for over 40 years).
The Next Stage is to set yourself up with the equipment that you need. The easiest way is to go for a Beginners Kit. These kits come complete with a hive and all the clothing and tools that you need to get going.
Alternatively, you can buy the items seperately and customise the kit to your requirements.
Either way, you will need:
A Complete hive of your choice
A Smoker
A Hive Tool
A Protective Veil
A Pair of Gloves
A Good Reference Book
WHEN SHOULD I START
Well think of beekeeping as circle, it is locked to the seasons and you could start at any point in that circle but it is best to start by planning and reading and talking to beekeepers. So the best time to start that process is late summer or autumn by first joining your local association. You may not even need to join initially, most will allow you to attend as guest or visitor. Then go to their winter meetings usually monthly where you will meet real beekeepers and listen to talks and subjects related to the craft.
Sound out your ideas with several beekeepers keeping in mind that two beekeepers are likely to give you three different opinions, and there are usually several correct options anyway. Be wary of anyone giving you dogmatic advice like...you must do this or that or you must use such & such hive style. There are very few 'musts' in beekeeping. Many beekeepers hold strong opinions usually based on how they have always kept bees, but remember bees are tremendously forgiving creatures and survive in many instances despite the keeper. Be your own person and make your own mind up, make your own small mistakes and learn from them.
This is also the ideal time to purchase your hive. Most hive parts come in 'flat-packed' form and those winter months are perfect time to get the hive and all the frames assembled and ready to use.
In Spring, you will want to get your bees and introduce them to your hive. These bees can either be brought as a small colony, or you can have a go catching a swarm.
HOW MUCH TIME WILL I NEED?
Beekeeping is a seasonal hobby therefore the time varies with the seasons. In the middle of winter there is practically nothing to do, except to occasionally check for physical damage or snow blocking the entrances. The busiest time is the early summer when each hive should be checked weekly to stop swarming and add supers. This need take no longer than a few minutes when you get the hang of it.
HOW MANY HIVE DO I NEED?
As a new beekeeper you may want to keep your hobby as small as possible, and that to you means just one hive. This is a mistake and you should aim to have two colonies on the go within your second season. There are several reasons to recommend this:
1. Should your one colony die in the winter you are immediately no longer a beekeeper.
2. Two colonies allow you to contrast and compare so you can spot their mutual strengths and weaknesses. You will learn more.
3. Should you have a problem with one colony such as it being queenless you can easily take eggs from your other colony to test or treat it.
Just remember, beekeeping is great fun and a hobby that, for many people, stays with them for a lifetime.
There is no right or wrong with beekeeping, only what technique suits you.
There is always someone around to offer advice or guidance.
If you need help getting started with beekeeping, we will be glad to help.
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