I'm new to it all....from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

[Algonam]

Hi there,

I'm considering beekeeping as a hobby and thought I'd join to gather info first.
I have property although it's more bush than field (2 acres of old fields, 20 acres mixed bush)and isn't near active farming, so I'm not sure if this would make a good location.
I have so many questions!!
Maybe some one can help to answer my few questions to start.
How far do bees travel for pollen?
To start up a couple of hives, what size of hives should I create?
Should I buy hives or build them myself?
How far from a road or driveway should the hives be located. My idea was to have them approx. 60 ft off of the side of our driveway.
I have the winter to prepare, and as of yesterday the snow was knee deep (now receiveing another 6 inches) so the meltdown should be over by sometime in April. We tend to have nice warm days that rise above freezing during the day in March and ground patches start to appear. When should I be prepared to set it all up?

That enough for now eh!

Thanks in advance!
Algonam

[Cindi]

Algonam, welcome to our forum.  I am in southwestern B.C.  Nice to have another Canadian, there are a few of us.  Our forum will be a place that you can spend time, you will have your questions answered, it is that place that you will also feel comfortable and make some new friends.  Wait, you are in for the most wonderful adventure, life with the bees.  Have a wonderful and awesome day, health.  Cindi

[asprince]

Algonam, Welcome to the forum. You will find all the answers to your questions here. This is a database of useful and some useless information. Use the search function and enjoy reading. Feel free to ask questions and comment on other posts.

Again, WELCOME

Steve

[PerryBee]

Alright, another canuck eh! :
Welcome aboard. Some answers:Your property sounds fine (wish I had it) Bees will usually forage within a couple of kms.
As far as size goes I would start out with a standard setup, 2 story brood chamber(deep supers) and a couple of medium
supers(6 3/4") for honey. To start out I would buy the components, build your hives and then install bees. This is a great
learning experience. In my opinion this is safer than buying someone else's problem. While I wouldn't put them too close to
a road you also don't want them too far away. Boxes full of honey can get pretty heavy.  Enjoy the experience but a
word of caution, it's addictive
 Perry

[Algonam]

Thanks so far for the welcomes! I'm already on info overload.
Yes everything is probably answered in the forum. It looks like my head will continue spinning for a while, maybe forever, trying to get complete  info as every answer I receive I have have more questions for.
I have alot of terminology to learn. I can't help but wonder if beekeeping was this complex 100 yrs ago! lol.... It sure looks like a good hobby and I'm getting drawn in the more I read.
I need something to start on, have a heated garage as a workshop, so I'd like to create the boxes on my own. I just need to know what to build!!

Thanks again!

[1reb]

Hello and Welcome Algonam
There is alot of great information on the forum !!
The members here are willing help and answer your questions, all you need to do is to ask
Johnny

[poka-bee]

Welcome!  It's amazing how much we don't know!  I find answers here to questions I don't even have yet! You will love your bees.  Lucky you, a heated garage!  We don't even have lights in ours so can only go look for things in the daytime.  You will be amazed at how you love your girls, we get very protective of em & watch, watch, watch!  My hands wouldn't hold still wanting to get in there to see what what they are doing!  They are beautiful insects & we (well I) don't even mind getting stung! OOOhhh, and wait till you get to taste your 1st honey from your own bees..OMGoodness, it's the best EVER!  How far are you from Cindi?  She was thinking of selling a few (not all)of her hives as she is moving, you know they are healthy & taken care of but I don't know if it is for sure decided yet.  Would be a good way to start anyways.  Build away, the days will start getting longer again now! YIPPEE!!  J

[Algonam]

Thanks again!
Poka, I'm on the other side of the country from Cindi....I think it is 3,000 miles or so, so I won't be takin a drive over to check things out!