# of hives per apiary

[Rosco]

I know there are many variables but typically how many hives can one apiary support? There's no agriculture within 5 miles. There's mostly hardwood trees around plus some open fields with Goldenrod and a few other wild flowers.
Thanks for your input.

[doak]

Being hopelessly lost don't give me much to go on as to try to determine what kind of nectar producing plants/trees is in the area. I could have 25 where I am. No other beekeeper closer than about 15 miles. I have nothing but forest and some patches of open areas. But right now my biggest flow in on. Tulip Poplar and black berries. But then from the Last of June till the first of September If I took all their honey in mid June and didn't feed they would starve.
Hopefully find yourself. :)doak

[Rosco]

Doak, sorry about that but I just signed up and have to figure out how to list my location. I'm in southern Oh.

[doak]

If you plan on having anything under 25 you should be good to go, if you have any kind of good trees around. Tulip Poplar, Honey locust, Mimosa, Magnolia, Black gum/Tupi lo, We have Kudzu here in Ga. Don't know how far north that stuff grows.
You can also plant some things, clover, buck wheat,.melons cucumber, squash.
Getting to know what is in your area and its bloom time becomes second nature when you start keeping bees.doak

[mlewis48]

 I am from Southern Ohio also. I try to keep my hive numbers per location to 10 or less. One of the main things that I have to factor in is how much will be there once the locust and blackberry flow has ended. Lets hope that we don't have another drought like we have has in the last couple of years. Where are you located in Southern Ohio? Good luck in your choice.
                                           Marc

[Rosco]

Marc
Sent you a PM.
Doak,
I think the only thing we have that you mentioned is the locust. We don't have the kuzu yet either. It stops in TN.