So I am flying by the seat of my pants on this. Learning as I go. I called a local beekeeper who just started his hive a year ago. I believe we talked on January 26th or so. He said, "Hang up the phone and order your bees tonight... before you go to bed... or you won't get any!" He was kind of bossy (in the nicest way possible). And he wasn't kidding. Who knew? It took several calls to locate "nucs" still for sale. So you can order a "box of bees" which is exactly as it sounds, a box of bees with a queen. These bees then migrate (with some gentle nudging) into the hive you have prepared for them. Or you can order a "nuc" or "nucleus". This is 4 established "frames" with comb and bee activities already in motion... so the hive is already started. You "simply" remove 4 frames from your own hive and replace them with the established colony. It sounds good on paper. Oh and I'll have to go pick them up in San Antonio (which means I will be forced to refuel on some Mi Tierra's tex-mex... so sad).
So ordering the "girls" set into motion all kinds of other transactions. I need hives of course, and a beekeepers (very attractive) white suit and veil/hat, a smoker, gloves, etc. There are so many decision to make! 8 frame or 10 frame? Langstrom or Warre? Should we build our own? Assembled? Unassembled? I chose a smattering of options. I don't know if I'll prefer 8 or 10 frame hives, so I ordered one of each. Langstrom... most common, parts are easy to find. Makes sense to me. Cedar construction, Unassembled. Cousin David has agreed to assemble them for me... so parts ordered! I have picked a spot, shielded from the wind, close (but not too close) to the house. Oh it is a lovely spot neglected for the past twenty years when I could have been visiting regularly. The "girls" are going to LOVE it!
A little surprise my brother found when he was kid-sitting my boys a couple of weeks ago while husband and I were on a little anniversary trip... is that we already have one established hive on the property! A beekeeper was given permission many years ago from G (husband's Dad) to skirt the edge of the property and set up his hives. Turns out they are only about 100 yards in front of our house, well hidden by lots of trees. Most of the hives are abandoned and rotted, but one hive remains. Brother did his best to stack up the boxes in "condo" fashion so they have more stability with room to grow. I considered finding a bee charmer to relocate this established hive, but decided I was getting way ahead of the horse. I don't know what kind of bees these are, or if they're healthy and I don't even know how to tell these things if I did do an inspection. Sooo... these little beauties can continue their existence without my interference... for now.
Although I'm more than a year away from a honey harvest I am experimenting with lots of new flavors... Last week it was Blood Orange/Cardamom/Honey-Vanilla. Yum... although I was scared about the cardamom. Next time I will be more brave. The marshmallows (and the bees) deserve a little cardamom bravery.
Thanks for standing guard Shelby girl.
