Our First Lot Of Honey !!

[Greenbeast]

Here's mine

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/GreenBeast999/beehive.jpg

 

It's against one fence which borders a path and road. You can't tell the hive is there when standing on the pathway.

We have neighbours the opposite side but i doubt they can even tell either, the bees don't spend too much time in the vicinity, they're always coming and going

[mattx]

Pic of our setup - hoping to get another 2 next year.

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1326/4723983498_85a3f4c3df_z.jpg

 

Loads more on my flickr account if anyone wants a look.

[fafster]

Here's mine

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/GreenBeast999/beehive.jpg

 

It's against one fence which borders a path and road. You can't tell the hive is there when standing on the pathway.

We have neighbours the opposite side but i doubt they can even tell either, the bees don't spend too much time in the vicinity, they're always coming and going

 

That looks great. I've read that the top bar varieties don't provide as much honey. How much do you get, and how often, from yours?

 

Our garden is pretty long, but a path runs up the centre to off-road parking at the end. How much activity is there with bees going back and forth? Would they be a nuisance to people?

[p858snake]

It depends, If there is the foliage around there that they food off, slightly more likely to, but if the trees and such aren't then theres less chance, Also you would need to send notices home that the school plans to do this and keep it in a securish locations so kids can't be idiots around it.

[Greenbeast]

That looks great. I've read that the top bar varieties don't provide as much honey. How much do you get, and how often, from yours?

 

Our garden is pretty long, but a path runs up the centre to off-road parking at the end. How much activity is there with bees going back and forth? Would they be a nuisance to people?

 

Well i've only had them a couple of months, yes they're not as productive in terms of honey as a 'traditional' style hive, but they produce more wax, something i can use equally well, if not moreso for candle and soaps. We don't eat a lot of honey so i'll probably be giving it as gifts.

 

My garden too has a path up the middle to off-road parking at the back, plus my workshop/shed is directly opposite the hive about 8' away.

I use the garden as normal, we store our wheelie bins the other side of the hive about 1m away.

I can sit literally in contact with the hive watching them while they carry on regardless. Only when a little agitated (for example if they're havign a bit too much attention from wasps/hornets, etc...) will they send out a guard to discourage me.

At times the entrance (and surrounding air) can get quite busy but even so, they're doing their thing and don't care about me.

Remember honeybees die if they sting, so it tends to be a last resort. I've only got 2 stings in the 2 months i've had them and each time it was my fault (once i had to shake some bees out of a feeder without a bee suit on and the second was while doing a little comb surgery to straighten things up inside)

[mattx]

2 stings ??!! Lucky you - I've been done around 15 times this year so far - the majority of them my fault as I hate wearing the gear and gloves. Mainly get stung on my hands - it's getting to a point now where it's not as painful - more like a small pin prick.

[tom_newton]

I have heard tell that local honey can help hay fever - worth trying this out on a few afflicted students? I think you need to be eating it reg'lar up until hay fever season though. One of our erstwhile accountants used to swear by this method until they closed English Herbal on Eastgate (which was her supplier of aforementioned local bee goop)

[Greenbeast]

2 stings ??!! Lucky you - I've been done around 15 times this year so far - the majority of them my fault as I hate wearing the gear and gloves. Mainly get stung on my hands - it's getting to a point now where it's not as painful - more like a small pin prick.

 

 

My first sting was on the ankle, i was just in shorts and trainers but as you probably realise the ankle is fairly unprotected by a bee suit anyway.

The second sting was on the shoulder through the bee suit material.

 

I put my luck down to a couple of things

- The general temperament of my bees, they are easy to work with.

- the style of hive means minimal disruption during inspections. Only part of the colony is exposed at any one time.

[Greenbeast]

I have heard tell that local honey can help hay fever - worth trying this out on a few afflicted students? I think you need to be eating it reg'lar up until hay fever season though. One of our erstwhile accountants used to swear by this method until they closed English Herbal on Eastgate (which was her supplier of aforementioned local bee goop)

 

I've heard this too but don't know how much stock to put in it, i only suffer slightly as it is but i will try my own honey on the run up to summer next year

[mattx]

Got another 46 Jars off today:

Now to get them ready for the winter.....

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4910909770_d87a006583_z.jpg

[john]

wow lots of honey You should make some nice school food with it Take them to your head of the kitchens and I am sure they can russell up something nice with it

[aerospacemango]

Hey Mattx....you've seriously pricked my interest on this........

 

How easy was it to get started? I have a loooong garden, with only one neighbour, and am starting to think that this could be a nice idea....not for making money, but for the enjoyment.....

 

Any hints and tips?

[mattx]

Hey Mattx....you've seriously pricked my interest on this........

 

How easy was it to get started? I have a loooong garden, with only one neighbour, and am starting to think that this could be a nice idea....not for making money, but for the enjoyment.....

 

Any hints and tips?

 

First I would find out where you local Bee Keepers club is and contact them. Turn up at a meeting and make yourself known - I would then find out if there are any courses around you can do - now will be a good time to book. Then there is plenty of stuff on the internet about keeping bees plus plenty of books. The best book to start with is:

 

Bees at the Bottom of the Garden: Amazon.co.uk: Alan Campion, Gay Hodgson: Books

 

Then for more advanced stuff:

 

Guide to Bees & Honey: The World's Best Selling Guide to Beekeeping: Amazon.co.uk: Ted Hooper: Books

 

The thing is, you will NEVER stop learning and I have to say, it's one of the best things I've started. We have 4 hives in our apiary and we are looking to get it up to 6 next year. I am currently restoring one at home which I may use either at the school or in my garden.

I have just got back from handing in a load of jars for a local competition and I shall most probably enter a few in the National Honey Show on behalf of the school:

 

National Honey Show

 

So as a start check out your local Bee Keeping organization and they will most probably let you get close to some hives and some bees etc - just remember you will get stung !! I have been once today [ The Bees don't like it when you take their honey away !! ] Overall this year so far about 17 times - nothing to be proud off mind you but I'm lazy sometimes and don't wear arm of glove protection:

 

That's me holding the box getting a swarm:

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4622078470_4353c7dd1b_z.jpg

[mac_shinobi]

you selling any honey ??

[mattx]

you selling any honey ??

 

Only to teachers and staff [ when they get back ] - need to check up on the legal aspect of the labels etc. And as this is our first year and our main priority is to get them through the winter, we were surprised we got so much honey this year.

[mac_shinobi]

Only to teachers and staff [ when they get back ] - need to check up on the legal aspect of the labels etc. And as this is our first year and our main priority is to get them through the winter, we were surprised we got so much honey this year.

 

dang and drats - was interested...... the eduHoneyBar

[kmount]

Only to teachers and staff [ when they get back ] - need to check up on the legal aspect of the labels etc. And as this is our first year and our main priority is to get them through the winter, we were surprised we got so much honey this year.

 

10/10 to you mate; a fantastic effort and a fitting tribute to your friend.

 

Definitely looking forward to next year.

[jamesb]

Only to teachers and staff [ when they get back ] - need to check up on the legal aspect of the labels etc. And as this is our first year and our main priority is to get them through the winter, we were surprised we got so much honey this year.

 

Trade you a bottle of mead after six months if you find you can spare some.