Wanta bee keeper

[tessiesmom]

I have recently moved to some land in South Carolina.  We have established a small garden with 12 raised beds and a small orchard with 21 fruit trees.  My father kept bees all his life.  When we moved from Arizona to California his first priority was to get bee hives going.  I would like to honor this tradition and establish some bees here.  My father died 20 years ago and there is no one I can really call on for advice.  I am hoping that this forum will help me get a start.  What are the best topics for me to read to get me started.  I need to know when is the best time to start out and what I need.  I have a book called the Bee Keepers Bible that has bee very helpful
Thanks

[Vance G]

Welcome and you have come to a good place.   If you can make friends with the search engine on this site, everything you need to know about has been cussed and discussed to distraction.   

The first thing I would do is share your city or county and your state.  This will allow people most knowledgeable of the conditions you face to advise you.

One of the gentlefolks here has written a book that will answer many of your questions.  It can be purchased at amazon or you can just go to Michael Bush's web site and read it all free and the author is a nice guy who will answer your questions on this forum.  That is a real bargain.   I envy you your fine orchard and space to garden.  A wonderful place needful of bees.   

[Jim134]

Welcome and you have come to a good place.   If you can make friends with the search engine on this site, everything you need to know about has been cussed and discussed to distraction.  

The first thing I would do is share your city or county and your state.  This will allow people most knowledgeable of the conditions you face to advise you. 

One of the gentlefolks here has written a book that will answer many of your questions.  It can be purchased at amazon or you can just go to Michael Bush's web site and read it all free and the author is a nice guy who will answer your questions on this forum.  That is a real bargain.   I envy you your fine orchard and space to garden.  A wonderful place needful of bees.  

X:X X:X X:X


       BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

[Kathyp]

+ look for other beekeepers in your area.  clubs, etc.  you'll probably find some of your neighbors on this site. 

[AllenF]

Welcome to the forum.

[fshrgy99]

Hello Mom,
    I have learned a lot in the last year (and still know nothing ... or there abouts). The recent discovery of this forum has 'reinvigorated' my learning curve. This site and other internet sources have been invaluable to me in both teaching me about Bees and about myself (my misconceptions). I have also been blessed to have made the aquaintance of an experience beekeep locally who operates a supply business. He has been a valuable resource as I learn. Hopefully you can find the same here on the forum or locally in South Carolina.
Here are links to 2 of my favorite youtubes on beekeeping. You'll find the author of one of these vids right here on Beemaster!
Welcome to the forum. May I say I envy you your 'garden of Eden'?
Dennis
Beekeeping by Rotation System
Huge Honey Bee Swarm On Vehicle      

[Georgia Boy]

Welcome,

I am new here also. While I might not be able to give much advice maybe my questions will help you.

Good luck.

[JPinMO]

tessiesmom, look up the South Carolina Beekeepers Association website, check the Local Associations page. And/or, check with your local Extension Office, they probably know if there is a beekeeping club(s) in your area.

There are tons of books on beekeeping, and more websites and blogs than you can shake a stick at.
The Club I belong to uses "Beekeeping for Dummies." It's easy to read, written for the beginner backyard beekeeper. I'm sure the folks here have read other books and can give you more advice.

If you are on Pinterest, try searching "Apiary" or "beekeeping" (tip: don't search "bees" or you'll get a bazillion pictures of bumblebees, jewelry, clothes, cakes, crafts, etc)

Good luck!