Is it too late this year?

[jjphoto]

I live north of Lubbock, TX and we've thought about putting a hive in our garden. Everything I've read says to start early in the spring around first bloom, but I've also seen some contradictory information that you can start as late as now.

Getting a hive isn't a problem, but finding bees seems to be. There isn't a local source, and everywhere I've looked is either sold out or won't return calls or e-mails (which tells me they are most likely sold out as well).

Should I just wait this season out and try for Spring of 2010?

[B. Haning]

I think you still have plenty of time to get started. I made some nucs last June. I gave each nuc a new queen, 3 medium frames of brood and 2 frames of honey and pollen. I gave them 5 frames of foundation and fed them 1:1 sugar syrup until they drew out those frames and added another medium super with foundations and fed until those were also drawn out. So if you can find a nuc or two I'd say go for it if you are willing to feed them.

[jjphoto]

Well I talked to an apiary just north of here a few minutes ago and they said they no longer have bees. They just ship in honey and then distribute it. She said that when they had bees that they never would live through the winter. :scratch:

So, looks like I don't have a local source. Will have to keep trying I guess!

[BaconStreetBees]

I went through the same thing when I first wanted to keep bees. I can't say if you got bees now whether or not they could make it through the winter. However, they would be at a disadvantage.
What I did was to wait until the next year. I read all that I could about beekeeping and talked to beekeepers. The next year my equipment was all ready and it was a great experience.
One thing I have learned about beekeeping is that you have to learn to be patient.

[JOHNYOGA2]

Do you have a local club? There might be someone there who would be willing to sell you a nuc or a freshly caught swarm. If you dedicate this year to feeding, you could have a nice colony by next Spring...

[Ross]

Plenty of time if you are willing to feed, or just put them within a mile of cotton. Should be plenty of cotton and soybeans up there for a while longer. Also read about using dry sugar in the winter, and plan for a windbreak around the hives. I know there aren't any trees up there :). A couple of bales of hay stacked can make a decent break, or use privacy fence panels.

[jjphoto]

Unfortunately no, there is no local club. Not even one within my region.

I have a garden in the corner of my yard with 7 ft. privacy fence around the perimeter of the yard, then a 5 ft. chain link fence around that corner to keep the dogs out of the garden. There is honeysuckle growing on the chain link which would act as a decent windbreak, but grabbing a few bales of hay is an easy solution in this area if I need it.

Still no luck in finding any bees though. Looks like I'll be waiting this season out and placing an order at the end of this year for spring delivery.

[IABeeMan]

I am from Lubbock and grew up the son of a beekeeper there. Lubbock has a nice group of beekeepers. I only wish there were as many here as there is there. PM me and i an get you several names of local beekeepers in the lubbock area.