Package delivery dates?

[yoyo]

I know I asked about this before but,,,
I ordered two packages for a delivery date of 4/19. After looking thru my gardening journal, I noticed all plants that were in bloom in March. The peach tree was in full bloom and so was alot of other stuff. I had a choice to get bees delivered 3/15. I was going to get this date at first, but just as I was placing the order, I learned the early packages were from Georgia, while the latter packages were local. I quickly changed to the 4/19 date. But, now I think that the 4/19 packages will be a split off the Georgia bees anyway! My question is, I feel like I can change the dates if it is not too early on 3/15. These will be going in on foundation only. How can the cold snap hurt bees like the cold snap that happened last spring I have read about? I have read in some books that you can install a package as early as Jan. or Feb. If you had them. If they can survive the winter's cold, then why can't they get thru a cold snap in spring? IF it is a starvation point, then I can just feed them, I was planning on that anyway.
So for my Location, what would be the best date to get the packages?

[riverrat]

starting bees on foundation would be risky if a cold snap happens they need to draw out the foundation in order for the queen to start laying. and have room to put stores if you have a prolonged cold snap more than a day or 2 you will probably loose your bees. I would ask a beekeep from your area or your package supplier what the earliest you could install a package without having to worry about the weather

[Ravenseye]

I would lean towards the March date (although others would worry about the cold). You're talking about a package with no brood to keep warm. So long as you feed them, and hive them on a reasonably decent day, you should be fine. If you catch the early flow, they'll pull wax like crazy...almost like a swarm does. Last spring, many parts of the country had early warm weather and queens were busy laying eggs. Brood developed which needed to be fed. Honey stores were depleted but worker bees found fresh nectar and pollen. Then, the cold hit. Flowers froze, nectar and pollen disappeared and the bees starved. Too many bees....not enough food. It wasn't the cold so much as it was the effect of the cold snap. Your package is more likely to pull through because you're directly involved with it's care. The situation is very different from a wintered over hive.