Winter Question from a new BK

[beekeeperookie]

What is the earliest I can prepare my hives for winter, I am going to GA this fall for my academy need to know how early i can prepare my hives.  I will be down there for three months.

Also I have a cover patio has openings on all sides expect two (the house/a privacy wooden fence) I thinking about putting my hives on there this winter to use the house and fence as blockage for the wind.  What do you guys think?

[Michael Bush]

If you pull the excluder out (if there is one) and put some #4 hardware cloth on the entrance, and leave them enough honey for the winter, you can leave them alone from now until spring.