[Oldbee]

"According to bloom dates I was told, this weekend will put me about 6 weeks out from the dandelion start."

Maybe for dandelions, but good pollen [some nectar] will be coming in around here from willows, alders, silver maple and a few other early blooms--crocus? If it warms up a bit, toward the end of the last week of March--3-1/2 weeks? If it stays cold; by the first week of April--4-4 1/2 weeks. Should be about the same for Ohio?

 

[Oldbee]

"How much is enough to get them into spring".

For Ohio, I think 15 to 18 lbs. would be plenty. I don't remember how much a frame of honey [medium or deep] weighs right now. It won't be long [2-3 weeks] till you can start putting in syrup in a feeder that stays fairly warm, like a baggie or bucket on top of frames. "I see that my bees are using 1/3 lb a day, so from that it looks as if 15 lbs should get them there." Feb. 13 2010.>> http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=237877&highlight=pounds+honey+winter