As we roll on towards the Memorial Day weekend I am mulling over next winter's plans. (Hey, we have very short growing seasons here in northern NY!)
I have seen some references to using three deeps in very cold climates, presumably to hold more stores. But also perhaps to provide a more protected, central wintering space for the cluster.
Since having enough comb, honey, even painted-up deep boxes to supply three deeps for each colony will take some advance planning long before next October when I'm buttoning up the hives for winter, I thought I'd ask now for opinions on this.
What do you think? Have you done it? Results? Pitfalls? Does a taller hive stack create a chillier, chimney effect on ventilation?
I plan on using quilt boxes, again. And also interior and exterior foam insulation - lots of it - but probably not wrapping the hives in wool blankets as that was effective but unwieldy.
The barn wall cavities that contained my feral colonies for decades were 10-12 feet tall, though much thinner than Langs.
Thanks for you thoughts.
Enj.
I have seen some references to using three deeps in very cold climates, presumably to hold more stores. But also perhaps to provide a more protected, central wintering space for the cluster.
Since having enough comb, honey, even painted-up deep boxes to supply three deeps for each colony will take some advance planning long before next October when I'm buttoning up the hives for winter, I thought I'd ask now for opinions on this.
What do you think? Have you done it? Results? Pitfalls? Does a taller hive stack create a chillier, chimney effect on ventilation?
I plan on using quilt boxes, again. And also interior and exterior foam insulation - lots of it - but probably not wrapping the hives in wool blankets as that was effective but unwieldy.
The barn wall cavities that contained my feral colonies for decades were 10-12 feet tall, though much thinner than Langs.
Thanks for you thoughts.
Enj.