I'm working on a way to aggregate information from beekeepers across the US. Specifically a guide to how much food you should leave for the bees to survive the winter and spring on their own.
This is specifically geared towards beginner beekeepers, think in terms of frames honey, instead of pounds. It is difficult for a beginner to understand how many pounds a hive weighs. Remember, not all beekeepers use 10-frame boxes.
So tell us this
1) What is your plant hardiness zone? http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ (http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/)
2) What is your zip code?
3) Not including honey in the brood nest, how much honey do you intend to leave for the bees each winter?
4) What is your ideal setup of boxes going into the winter? ie: 1 10-frame deep and 1 10-frame medium
Thanks in advance
I would add a question about whether the responder plans supplemental feeding.
The responses should be interesting.
5b (but I think based on the UDSA numbers and our record lows, 5a or 4b would be more accurate).
68413
1 1/2 frames of honey per frame of bees in the cluster +- 1/2 frame. Or one box of honey per box of bees.
Ideal depends on the size of the cluster. My hives run between one and five eight frame medium boxes going into winter.
Zone 8a
35226
8-10 medium frames
Ideal setup is 3 (10-frame) boxes for an average to strong hive