Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[KathyMc]

We live on the A10 at Southery between Downham Market (Norfolk) & Ely (Cambs) and have about 50 fruit trees on 2 acres. Would like to set up one or more hives - mainly for pollination but of course a little honey would be nice ! - and I like the sound of the top bar hives, but completely open to advice and suggestions. I would love somebody to put hives on the orchard perhaps with a view to me buying them next year once I have learned a bit ? Open minded as to costs/spit of honey so please make suggestions if you can help.

[Barbara]

Hi and welcome

It sounds like you have a great apiary site and I hope someone is able to take advantage of such a mutually beneficial opportunity. If you basic wood working skills, you could knock up some simple bait hives and place them around the orchard in the hope of attracting a swarm whilst you are waiting for some replies. Sadly I am at the other end of the country, otherwise I would have been delighted to help get you started.

Best wishes

Barbara

[KathyMc]

Thank you, Barbara, what a lovely welcome. My woodwork skills are not great but I will certainly look at some bait hives as you suggest. Hopefully somebody more local will be as enthusiastic and helpful as you are !

[catchercradle]

Hi Cathy,

Am not too far from you on Southern edge of Cambridge. Each year for the past several years, I have picked up between 8 and 12 swarms and almost inevitably have more than I have empty hives to put them in. So if you do get some hives you could probably have a swarm from me.

I have made one top bar hive so if I can almost anyone can! I feel I should know where you are as I lived in Downham Market for about two years before I moved to Cambridge.

Whatever happens, good luck.

Also well worth trying to get some bumblebee nests in your orchard as they are actually better at pollinating apples than honey bees are.

[KathyMc]

That would be fantastic, thank you so much. I will message you my phone number and will look more seriously into making (or maybe persuade somebody to make for me) a top bar hive.