Bees? I could be persuaded either way...

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Bees? I could be persuaded either way...
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cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:34 pm Post subject: Bees? I could be persuaded either way...

Turns out that there is a bloke on our allotments with bees, and that there IS wiggle room on that for allotment holders on our site...

So, I'm tempted. I think bees are great, I love honey, but I'd have a lot to learn. I no longer have a near infinite supply of honey, as the local honey plant closed down and the bloke who used to stick a bucket under the machine for me as it was draining between batches now works elsewhere

Do I do it? Or don't I?

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:39 pm Post subject:
Yes. Why are you even asking? But. Four hives will take up one afternoon a fortnight in the summer, on average. So, divide (or multiply) by your desired number. We are really pushed for the time to keep on top of ours at the moment. I am continuously waking up in the night in a cold sweat, picturing them swarming in to Mochyn's polytunnel

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:40 pm Post subject:
Its the swarming thing that worries me you see. I'm nervous of going down to the plot and finding the octagenarian who has the next plot up, all covered in bees.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:41 pm Post subject:
Go for it. Why not consider something like top bar hives if you fancy a different sort of challenge with a slightly different end product.

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:42 pm Post subject:

Chez wrote:

... I am continuously waking up in the night in a cold sweat, picturing them swarming in to Mochyn's polytunnel

You had to say that, didn't you?

Now I won't sleep until winter.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:42 pm Post subject:

sally_in_wales wrote:

Go for it. Why not consider something like top bar hives if you fancy a different sort of challenge with a slightly different end product.

Hmmm...

Clearly I'm going to have to re-read all of our beekeeping stuff here on Downsizer and think about all of this anew.

When is the best time of year to start with bees?

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:44 pm Post subject:

Yes, I can see how that would be a disincentive.

If you manage them properly, you will probably avoid most swarming situations, though. Time is the thing - checking them regularly and all that stuff. Our Swarming Hell last year was simply because we didn't keep on top of them because of the Surprise Pregnancy Thing.

Read this, too. And that will be all your swarming nightmares complete and you can concentrate on the positives

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:45 pm Post subject:

mochyn wrote:

Chez wrote:

... I am continuously waking up in the night in a cold sweat, picturing them swarming in to Mochyn's polytunnel

You had to say that, didn't you?

Now I won't sleep until winter.

Sorry

. Arvo's here on Wednesday. If we're not Somerset-bound, we'll come over.

hedgehogpie

Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 684
Location: Kent

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:46 pm Post subject:
It's a no brainer. You already have access to someone on the alloment with bees, there's room, and you're an intelligent person who's perfectly capable of learning the ropes as you go along. Go for it!

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:46 pm Post subject:
And contact your local BKA.

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:47 pm Post subject:

Chez wrote:

mochyn wrote:

Chez wrote:

... I am continuously waking up in the night in a cold sweat, picturing them swarming in to Mochyn's polytunnel

You had to say that, didn't you?

Now I won't sleep until winter.

Sorry

. Arvo's here on Wednesday. If we're not Somerset-bound, we'll come over.

I'll look forward to that. You can meet the new livestock.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:50 pm Post subject:

hedgehogpie wrote:

It's a no brainer. You already have access to someone on the alloment with bees, there's room, and you're an intelligent person who's perfectly capable of learning the ropes as you go along. Go for it!

Dagnammit, you would appeal to my common sense and self interest in such a rational and sensible fashion. I really do have to look into it VERY closely now

I'll try to find the bloke who has bees ASAP, see what he has to say on the subject. A local contact like that would be essential, and the local beekeepers association are well thought of Mochyn, so I'll give them a tinkle when I've talked to the allotment committee (they're here, if anyone is interested: https://www.cbka.org.uk/ )

chez

Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 35935
Location: The Hive of the Uberbee, Quantock Hills, Somerset

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:52 pm Post subject:
Definitely, the local association thing. Go along and make friends even before you finally decide.

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:52 pm Post subject:
If you want to be put off them ask tim / VSS about his bees. Richard

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 08 3:54 pm Post subject:

RichardW wrote:

If you want to be put off them ask tim / VSS about his bees.

Richard

Noooooooooo..........

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