Hello everyone, I am thinking of becoming a Beekeeper as a hobby, and to improve the pollination in the new garden my family and I are putting in this year.
This forum has some great information and informative people.
I joined this forum to read and gain, as much information as possible, before joining a beekeepers group, to be sure this is the proper hobby for me.
I live in Harris County North East of Houston, Texas. Somewhat in the country therefore, there should not be any problems with zoning restrictions. The plan as of right now is to read all I can, and learn the terminology of beekeeping. We hope to start two Beehives next year.
Rod
Welcome to the site Rod!
Beekeeping is a great hobby! I'm sure that you will like it if you can find another beek to help you get started.
Larry
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome Rod. Good to see another Texan on here.
Welcome on board
It will become a addiction with rewards. ;)
It's like eating potato chips ( you can't stop a just one). :-D
john
Quote from: divemaster1963 on November 14, 2011, 11:11:31 PM
Welcome on board
It will become a addiction with rewards. ;)
It's like eating potato chips ( you can't stop a just one). :-D
john
Nice!!
Welcome mate.
I went to Houston a few years ago for work and I loved the place. All the people were very friendly and loved to chat to me. I really hope to get back there again in the future.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it here as much as I do.
Rod, welcome aboard. I, too, will be starting my apiary this coming year. A thought for you...if you will be starting in February/March of 2012 I strongly recommend that you begin acquiring your equipment. You won't have to worry about this if you will be buying established hives in already constructed wooden ware, but don't forget you'll also need some empty supers full of at least frames to go with the brood boxes.
Most people purchase new wooden ware and start with nucs or package bees. Doing this you will start most likely with new wooden ware that comes unassembled. It takes time to build the boxes, bottoms, and tops and to paint them. Also, don't forget you'll have 8 to 10 frames per box that will most likely need putting together. Wintertime is the time to get this aspect of the hobby prepared...don't wait a week or two before receiving your bees.
Same thing goes for getting your bees...my understanding is that many places sell out of bees early and many folks pre-buy or pre-reserve (by deposit?).
Just thought I'd mention it...
Of course, if you're buying established colonies or everything pre-assembled it's a moot point. :)
Best wishes and enjoy the journey!
Ed
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and great comments. I just started reading "Beekeeping, A Practical Guide" today.
Rod
I've read several books (doesn't mean I'm an expert, though! :) ) and one that stood out from many and that is often recommended is "First Lessons In Bee Keeping"...published by Dadant. The most recent author appears to be Dr. Keith Delaplane who is a professor of entomology with the University of Georgia and started his honey bee career when he was just a kid. I actually read an older version (~1980?) of the book and was impressed by the logical order and wording of the book. I intend to purchase Delaplane's version, soon. If you're interested, here is a link to the first two chapters of Delaplane's version...these deal predominately with honey bee biology...interesting reading: First Lessons in Beekeeping: Honey Bee Biology (http://www.extension.org/pages/21738/first-lessons-in-beekeeping:-honey-bee-biology)
Best wishes,
Ed
Thanks Ed, for the info and link. I'm also looking at " The Backyard Beekeeper" it look as if it has a lot of good pictures in it. I'm hoping to get my ten-year-old daughter interested in beekeeping too, and maybe the pictures will help pique her interest.
Rod
welcome to beemaster! can you go into your profile and put your location? it will help a lot. thanks.
Quote from: kathyp on November 17, 2011, 11:55:32 AM
welcome to beemaster! can you go into your profile and put your location? it will help a lot. thanks.
Thank you.
Rod
Hello,
I,m Mickle.....
New on this board.Welcome to all old members of this community...
I hope you all guys will enjoy here.......
Welcome to the site!