Hive 1 Is On It's Way!!!

I've placed my first order with Rossman! I started with the Cypress Super Deluxe Starter Hive. It includes 2 Deep Hive Bodies, 2 Medium Honey Supers, frames and foundation for both, entrance reducer, inner and outer covers, boardman feeder, bottom board, hive stand, and queen excluder. It is a knock-down kit that must be fully assembled.

I look forward to receiving it. I was considering ordering the second hive as their Cypress Super Deluxe Beginner's Kit, so as to get the smoker, veil, tool, etc., but the more I look at it, the more I think I'm going to go without the beginner's kit, and just go with a second Starter Hive. I think the extra $100 they charge can be better spent on other accessories/tools.

Anyway. Can't wait to see it in the mail! I hope everyone has a good week!

Foundation

I heard back from Rossman. They said that their kits include Plasticell foundation, but they would substitute beeswax at no extra charge. I don't mean to start World War III by saying this, but I think I'm going to go with the Plasticell. From what I've heard, of the types of plastic foundation out there, Plasticell seems to be the most well accepted, and easily re-useable (as opposed to the flat-sheet Duragilt). I'm also considering a nuc just to keep handy in case I may need it sometime during the season. Even though I know I probably won't need it in my first year, I also know that it can never hurt to have one around, and that I'll need it eventually anyway.

This week's been so stressful, I can't wait until the weekend. I haven't gotten much sleep, I've been working overtime every day this week, and I'm just beat. I spent much of last night in the hospital with my partner, Steven, who had a terrible migraine, and we didn't get home until about 3:30am. I was so tired this morning, I slept right through my alarm, and was an hour late for work. Fortunately, tomorrow is Friday, and then it's the weekend, so it's almost over :)

On the brighter side, I found a pry-bar at my local Ace Hardware which is exactly the same as most hive tools out there, is several dollars less (not to mention no shipping), and is now mine :) I also found a really nice tool box that I'd like to get, from Brushy Mountain.

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a splendid week, please stay tuned for updates!

Planning

I've spent some time planning the layout of my hives in the yard, and come up with a nice plan that includes room (a safe distance away of course) to set up a lawn chair and watch the bees at work. I really can't wait to see the plans executed!

I've also been thinking over the hive decision. One thing that you may see about me is that I can be somewhat indecisive. :) Anyway, the only possible downside I see to the Cypress hive kit from Rossman is that it comes with plastic foundation of some sort. Until I know what kind it is, I'm not going to be 100% settled on that hive. So, I'm waiting to hear back from them on that. If worse comes to worse, I'll see if they can substitute beeswax foundation instead.

Anyway, I plan to order the hives on the 22nd (payday, lol) with whatever I decide on those. I'm also planning to attend a meeting of a local beekeeper's club on Monday, and looking forward to that too.

Hope everyone is well!

Well, I visited the future site of my bee yard. It is located in the back corner of the yard. It is sunny in the morning, and partly shaded throughout the afternoon. Around the yard are hundreds of different flowering plants, so I have a feeling the bees will be very happy there (lots of Goldenrod this time of year too). Not to mention I was also given a full box of vegetables from the vegetable garden. Tomatoes, beets, eggplant, summer squash, peppers, corn, and a variety of herbs. Mmm... 

I plan to return during the Autumn to clear out the spot, and put down mulch to keep weeds away. I forgot to bring my camera, but I'll take pictures the next time I'm down there. 

I can't wait!!!

Hive Decision

Well, I've decided to go the route of the Cypress hives. I'm going to buy one beginner's starter kit hive, and one standalone hive. Both are kits, and being that I am one of those hands-on types, I am eagerly anticipating the purchase of both :-)

I'm hoping to get over to the farm sometime during the long weekend. I'll see if I can snap a few pictures. I left my camera in Florida at my mom's house during a vacation last week, so I'll have to borrow a camera. I also left the charger for my Macbook, which now has a dead battery, meaning I'll have to use my old desktop to upload any pictures I take. We shall see how well that works.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a splendid Labor Day weekend. Be sure to stay tuned for updates!

Also, as a sidenote: If anyone reading this has any suggestions for reading materials regarding beekeeping, I'd appreciate it greatly. As of now, I have "Beekeeping for Dummies" and of course all the wealth of information on the web, but I'd like to "expand my library" so-to-say.

Welcome to my 2009 Beekeeping Season Logbook. It may seem early to start, as the bees won't be arriving until next spring, but there's plenty to be done in the meantime.

As of yesterday, I've decided on a place to keep my bees. As I live in an apartment complex, there's nowhere there to keep them. I was hoping to keep them at my aunt's house in the City, but one of her neighbors is weary of it, and also, there's not much to pollinate out there. So, my aunt suggested that I contact her friend, who has a small farm in the suburbs, about 10 minutes from my apartment. I did, and got her overwhelming approval yesterday. I hope to get down there this weekend to have a look at the land, and get a general idea as to where I'll place the hives.

I will be purchasing two hives, and two packages of bees. The sources for both have not been concretely decided yet, but I'm leaning toward Rossman Apiaries for the bees, and possibly the hives too (nice cypress hives, good prices).

I'll decide on the hives within the next week or so, and I hope to place my order before the end of September. I will update as soon as I have seen the land, and decided on my hives. Ta-ta for now!