picking a location

[danno]

I plan on setting up 5 hives this spring behind my house. The land was at one time mostly cow pasture but has grown up wild for many years. I have two locations in mind that would put the hives within 100 ft of a creek in the back of my fields. Both would have southern exposure. One would be against my mature woodlot to break the wind. The other is at the bottom of a small hill going down to the creek. It is near both my orchard and my neighbors. This is the one that I am most consitering but it has a couple of drawbacks. The cleared lane to get to it is my rifle range and it is within 100 ft of a set of railroad tracks that are used twice a day monday through friday. The hives will be safe from any gun fire and be 30 - 40 yds from my range backstop. This location just seems to fit all the needs except for these two things. I know it really cant be pictured in a paragraph but what do you all think.

[BjornBee]

I vote for 5 hives in each location....;)

Low spots with nearby waterways are a concern of mine. Its amazing how a low spot will keep moisture much longer than an area just 20 feet higher.

As for the orchard, bees fly, No worry unless were talking about a large distance. How big did you say your estate was?

Southern sun, windbreak, no stray bullets....seems clear to me.

[iddee]

Your concerns are minimal. I would choose the one with the most hours of sun, highest elevation, best north and west windbreak.

[Dave W]

I'll pile on w/ BjornBee and iddee :)

Sunshine, no flooding, and no stray bullets, sounds like a winner!

I've always wanted mine on the back porch :)

[Michael Palmer]

Southern sun, windbreak, no stray bullets....seems clear to me.

Add air drainage to that. The site on the hill gets my vote.

[BigDaddyDS]

When in doubt, get more hives and place them in BOTH locations! :)

I do agree, however, that a 15' ft. change in elevation makes a WORLD of difference when it comes to moisture! The hill location would be "dryer" overall. If nothing else, it'll burn off the morning dew before a lower spot would. And, take a look at that wood lot. If it has poplar or evergreens, you may have an ideal spot for them to gather propolis from! Although since it doesn't sound all too far away from the other potential site, the bees will probably work it from either location.

And stray bullets aside (I'm willing to assume you're a decent shot...), until your bees grow ears, the noise shouldn't bother them. Now, on the other hand, if you felt a concussion while standing at the hive, THAT they might not be so happy about. Seldom (never) do they actually enjoy someone "hammering" on their hive. :rolleyes: And, in the lower location, also recognize the potential possibility of the creek overflowing it's banks. It's not much fun working a location in the spring while wearing hip-wader boots.

So, I guess in my opinion, if you're unwilling to split up the 5 hives and place them in both locations, I'd place them all on the hillside too!

DS

[honeyman46408]

Make sure you can get your truck to the hives.

[Brent Bean]

Thing to consider can the creek ever overflow to cause flooding hazards to the hives? Other than that they sound like great locations.

[danno1800]

Go for it & let us know how they worked out. You can always choose one over the other next year if experience shows you one is clearly better. Good luck! -the other Danno!

[BjornBee]

I had to read that twice. I thought Danno was talking to himself... ;)