Well, I did it. In my car right now are two complete 8 frame medium hives. I got 3 supers per hive that were preassembled, to get me rolling, and 3 more per hive to put together as needed, so I have 6 supers per hive, plus some odds and ends, like feeders and tools and such, as well as foundation to get started. The guys at Valley Bee in Fisherville VA were very helpful and said I had put together an excellent starter package and was doing everything right so far. I got my supplies there as I have traveled to the area for a conference this week and was surprised to find a shop nearby. It was fun to go look at the equipment and see and feel all the toys, lol. I have two packages coming to me from a large shipment April 8 or thereabouts. They are just packages, so I'm sure I'll want to requeen later in the summer, and there happens to be two queen breeders within an hour of me.
I have a can of stain and a can of exterior paint in the garage so I can paint or stain, whichever I choose, next week if it's warm enough.
I still want a TBH. If Michael Bush can overwinter them where he lives, I'm sure it can be done here. There is a guy here in MD doing it successfully. But I'll build that this summer at my leisure when I have scrap wood left over from other projects we will do over the summer, and if the bees do well, maybe I can put my own bees in it next year. I really want lots of wax for soapmaking and other such uses, and I love comb honey the most.
I have a can of stain and a can of exterior paint in the garage so I can paint or stain, whichever I choose, next week if it's warm enough.
I still want a TBH. If Michael Bush can overwinter them where he lives, I'm sure it can be done here. There is a guy here in MD doing it successfully. But I'll build that this summer at my leisure when I have scrap wood left over from other projects we will do over the summer, and if the bees do well, maybe I can put my own bees in it next year. I really want lots of wax for soapmaking and other such uses, and I love comb honey the most.