Another Newbie

[Coloneldad5]

Ok, I bet there's been more than a few of us lurking about asking stupid questions that have been answered over and over again so if this is one of those I appologize up front.

I have just recently purchased land (13 acres) in Northern Utah, ok almost Idaho, and built a house on it. I am looking to start 1-2 hives this spring. In reading what I can (online as I am at the moment overseas with the military) I have found a lot of information but as can be expected little direct information that might fit my area.

What I am initially asking is this, what things should I be doing and about when to get it started. Obviously I'm going to have to get the hives pretty soon and such, but when should I be looking to get the bees and establishing the hive?

Thanks,
David

[FarmerGreen]

Welcome CD5/ David! I am a newbie myself, only kept them the last couple of years. All of my very limited experience is in the Southeast, so, I'm not sure about northern Utah. But, I would definitely start with 2 hives instead of one. That way you can compare them and be able to see a problem quicker. I would also scroll down to the thread on 8 frame beekeeping. Standardizing with 1 size boxes and frames has simplified things for me. You will also need to decide how natural you want keep your bees. I decided on keeping mine as natural as possible. I bought natural sized bees and started them on 4.9mm foundation. I don't treat them with drugs to control mites or any other problems. I would try to find a Beekeepers association in your area and join that. They would be familiar with any local problems you might face.

[alleyyooper]

Try to get you bees ordered for a pick up any time in May. The earlier in May the better.

Nice thing about this site is the search function. If your afraid of asking a question that may have been answered before just search the forum with that question.
But don't be afraid to ask never the less.


Al

[Sunmo]

I was born in Pocatello-----weather's 'bout the same as where you live.

I joined a local beekeepers association a year before I bought my first two hives. I'd recommend you find one and join it. You have about 4-5 months to learn everything you can and to purchase everything you need, in order to start beekeeping this year.

Buy your bees in late April or May and set up your hives. If you buy nucs, you may get honey this year. If you buy packages you may not get any or at least not much honey. If you have no idea what a package or nuc is and their differences, I'd recommend that bee keepers association membership.

[Coloneldad5]

Thanks for the responses. As I stated before I am reading and will continue to read. My wife has found a 'store' in Salt Lake that we can get supplies and advice for. We will probably be finding a group to join, but the most logical one is the Wasatch Beekeepers and they meet further south (about an hour south of us) so visiting them might be difficult. I don't see any groups closer to where I live.

Another question that I have: I have used honey in various recipes in the past but generally used it in the liquid form. Recently I was thinking about other recipes where sugar is used for the granular form. Is is possible to substitute granulated honey in place of granulated sugar? If so how might this work and will I need to alter the recipe some?

[alleyyooper]

If you wait till April or May to buy the bees you may not be able to find any for sale. Order them in Jan. or Feb. for a April or May pick up.

Al

[Sunmo]

You're right Al. I guess we order our bees in Jan for an April pickup.