Just getting started with lots of questions

[Tom52]

I live in NE Florida at the moment, but plan to retire next spring and move to North central Alabama, Athens area. I just started working with a friend who keeps about 70 hives and have helped him harvests some honey. I have always wanted bees, but never lived in an area I could have them, due to neighbors living so close. If I move a hive from here in Florida to Alabama, will the cold have much effect on them during the winter, or do I need to buy local bees? I want to have a large garden and flowers around the property and bees will help keep everything pollinated, so how many hives is adequate? I have 15 acres and there are lots of hay fields in the area. I was thinking maybe 3 or 4. I love to eat honey and so does my family, so naturally I want enough for us to and not just the bees. All the suggestion will be greatly appreciated.:) :confused:

[Curtis]

Tom,
Well first of all, its too late, the beekeeping bug has already biten you. So lets start right, its OK to move a hive from FL. If you are think of 3 to 4 hives, prepare for 10 hives. If you love gardening then beekeeping will fit right in and take all your extra time that gardening leaves you. Many more on here will have more to add so I will leave the rest to them.
You will Love the new adventure.
Good Luck
Curtis

[riverrat]

you can move the hive with no problem but it might bee easier to get started once you are located in alabama.

[Ben Brewcat]

Welcome to the madness! You'll love bees and keeping them. Congrats on retirement!

Yeah, start up in your new location. Three to four hives (or two to three) should be a good start; once you get established and comfortable you can build more equipment and do spring splits to increase. That number will be plenty, with the local talent, to pollinate even a pretty major garden. The "cold" in Alabama most bees won't even notice :) (they can overwinter in WI, any race will be just fine down in 'Bammy). I'd suggest especially for a starting-out beek to get a known race such as Carniolans rather than buying local stock unless the supplier is an experienced bee breeder (get some references even). Two reasons: in your region the risk of Africanized genes in the gene pool is not to be dismissed lightly (especially with open-mated queens), and a well-bred queen is one less thing to worry about, but more importantly a quality queen from gentle stock is very helpful when you're learning the ropes. If you want to play and compare breeds when you have a season or two under your belt it's easily enough arranged.

[FANNBEE]

If I move a hive from here in Florida to Alabama, will the cold have much effect on them during the winter, or do I need to buy local bees

I live in central Mississippi and you do not have to worry about the cold. We might not have as consistent warm weather as where you live in Fl, but it stay plenty warm.

[iddee]

Check with your state ag dept. about the rules concerning moving hives from Fla. to Al.

I think you will decide to buy them in Al. rather than go through all the red tape to carry them across state lines.