New Beek

[Kirk Osborne]

Hi. I am new to this forum and new to beekeeping. I plan on starting my first 3 hives this Spring. I am hoping to produce some honey for my family and some that can be sold locally. I REALLY want for my bees to survive the winters. Living in SouthWestern Wisconsin, winter can be a harsh time. I would also like to take a more natural approach to beekeeping, using as few chemicals and treatments as possible. I plan on using the standard 10-frame Langstroth hives. I will have 1 on my property, and 1 on two other friends properties.

Any advice is greatly appreciated, but may be ignored *grin*.

-Kirk

[DBeeCooper]

Welcome Kirk!

1. 3 hives is a great number to start with. Will you get nucs or packages?
2. Read read read all winter long. Get a beginners book for one, and then, there's a book called Natural Beekeeping you might like. And many more.
3. Join a local club, get a mentor.
4. Relax and have fun!

[Kirk Osborne]

Thanks, DBeeCooper. Looks like some good advice. I will be buying packages, but if I can get some extra coin, I'll opt for the nucs. Everyone loves a headstart, right?

[AmericasBeekeeper]

Welcome Kirk! Wisconsin Honey Producers is having a meeting Nov 1 - 3