Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
• The bee yard should come complete with winter and summer wind breaks and great
summer sun exposure, with the hives facing southeast, and it should not be in a cold-
air drainage spot at the bottom of a hill.
• The ground should be level, dry year-round, safe from cattle and other animals (who
like to scratch on those hives), and out of sight from vandals.
• Your bees should be far enough from residences to be safe (from children, swim-
ming pools, etc.) but close enough so neighbors would probably notice anything go-
ing on that shouldn't be. But if they are that close, all the good neighbor behaviors
mentioned elsewhere should kick in.
Finding a spot this good takes some work. Scout for locations by driving around
your neighborhood, exploring the edge of town or country roads, even walking along
roadsides. Ask friends and family, other beekeepers, farmers, ranchers, loggers, pilots,
law enforcement agencies, and people in the recreation business for recommendations.
Hunters, fishing enthusiasts, and bird-watchers often ask permission to access private
property, too, and may have tips to share.
If possible, take a whole season to evaluate a location before you decide to put your
bees there. You may find that in summer your location may be high and dry and easily
accessible, and in full sun in August. But come spring, a creek rises and you have to
wait until May to get back there. Learn what the farming practices are of an area (crop
rotations, pasture, plowing schedule, etc.). During the season look for available forage:
which plants are blooming and in what quantity, and whether they are reliable. (Re-
minder: Your local beekeeping association contacts are invaluable for this information.)
Once you've identified three or four sites worth exploring, you need to get closer and
take a good look. You need to find the owner and do an up close and personal inspec-
tion.
Locating the owner may be a challenge; they may be a corporation without a face or
a reasonable contact, or may be a holding company for an estate or a realty company
looking to sell. Always contact the owner, and consider planning an in-person meeting.
Bring a map of the land you are looking at, along with a list of contacts for referen-
ces. The landowners need to know what to expect—your seasonal schedule, the kind
of truck you have, how many colonies will be there, and more. Be prepared to discuss
insurance, security, accessibility, and more—and always volunteer to pay your rent in
honey. This is why we too often put bees where we can, rather than where we want.
You need a place for your bees that's good for you, good for your bees, and good for
the landowner.
