Adding a new hive next season

[cbarton]

I got my first hive this season, installed a 3lb package in May and have had fairly good luck to date.  My girls are settled in for the winter and I hope to winter them through successfully.  I want to add a second hive next spring and wonder if I should order another 3 lb package, or order a new queen and make a split from the existing hive.  A package offers a bit of insurance if my existing hive doesn't make it through the winter;  a split is a bit cheaper.  Does anyone have any thoughts about what might be the best way to proceed.
Thanks

[pdmattox]

If you want honey I would buy another package and leave last years hive for honey.  If not than order a queen and do a split.  Just my opinion. :mrgreen:

[Finsky]

If you want honey I would buy another package and leave last years hive for honey. 

So it goes. Give a couple of ready combs to package hive. And when you have 3 box in your old hive you may take frames of emerging bees from it and give to package. So you are able to get honey from package too. If you split your old hive, it's development is too slow to get honey.

[Michael Bush]

It depends on if you have more time or money.  :)  The package is better insurance.

[Kirk-o]

Yeah go for the package
kirko