newbee and strawberries..

[sentientsoil]

So... I've been reading for a good long time and was hoping to acquire some bees next spring. However, my dad recently told me he was planting a pretty good sized strawberry patch. And I said "You'll need bees!" with a bit of glee.

But I was thinking lately, strawberries bloom pretty early in the spring, but I can't seem to find out exactly when. Will it be difficult to get new bees and have them doing any good at all by the time the bloom hits?

I'm considering trying to locate a nuc or hive right now and trying to build it up for the winter so it's ready for spring... does that sound reasonable? I'm not even sure where to buy a nuc in my dad's area (around Bluffton, IN).

best ideas?

[BeeAware]

In my area (northern Alabama) most varieties of strawberries bloom in April. That is why I started keeping mason bees, then later, honeybees to pollinate my berries and the bee colonies just grew from there.

The bees do work the strawberry blooms in this area in early April thru early May. Indiana bloom times may vary due to climate with bloom time maybe being a little later. Also, most strawberries grown commercially in this area are Chandler variety with a few Charlie variety which blooms two weeks earlier. Variety will make a difference in your bloom time!

[Zane]

You can get "everbearing" strawberries. They are smaller variety berry but I've been getting berries off them since May."Ozark Beauty" is a good old favorite. The bee's are on them every day(I have over 250 planted last year and its almost doubled now!) here.
Then you might as well plant some fruit tree's since they did a big help on mine, then get a garden going. They seem to like my cucumbers and squash right now!!!! Then flowers etc!!!!!!
I think you might want to wait until spring to get your bee's. It gets pretty cold in Indiana. There are some folks on this site I know are just south of Indy in Brown County.
Maybe get you gear ready, like hives frames etc. There are a few new posts regarding the beekeper just stating out and what to get and lots of other things too. Just keep reading stuff!!!
There will bee plenty of plants to pollinate from you bee's next spring and summer. Good Luck

[indypartridge]

Bloom times are variable, even within the State. This year it seemed like everything was running about 2 weeks laters than 'normal', and there's a least a week's difference between southern and northern parts of the state. I wouldn't worry about trying to get bees in time to pollinate your dad's strawberries. One thing at a time....

And I'd recommend against trying to get bees this late in the summer, not to mention finding someone to sell you a nuc this time of year would be difficult. As far as getting bees for next spring, there are a number of beeks in northeast Indiana that I'd recommend. I've sent you a PM with phone numbers and emails since I don't like posting those.

Dave Shenefield
Clover Blossom Honey
La Fontaine

Danny Slabaugh
Slabaugh Apiaries
Nappannee

Matt Green
Green's Honey Farm
Ligonier

Devon Howald
Majenica Creek Honey Farm
Huntington

Are you connected with a local beekeeping club? I know quite a few members of the Northeast Indiana Beekeepers - a large, active club The contact info - Devon Howald - is in the PM I sent.

Also, On Oct 18th, the Indiana State Beekeepers will be having their fall meeting in Indianapolis. Concurrent with the meeting is their Beginning Beekeeping School. The website (www.hoosierbuzz.com) hasn't been updated yet with all the info yet, but I can email it to you if you're interested.

[honeyman46408]

http://indianabeekeeper.goshen.edu/mba.html

Check these people out they have members in your area and have a great news letter with lots of information.

[sentientsoil]

hey all, thanks for the info and advice. definitely helpful.

I've been slow to get too involved with clubs and such since we're still trying to sell our house and move, but I'll start looking into that more deeply. and wait for spring to get the bees.

gracias.