Honey and Mead

digdan · 05-26-2009, 07:13 AM

Took my obsession for mead to the next level. Just hived two bee colonies. Right now they are going to feed on wild sage and 1600 acres of alfalfa.

Now I need suggestions of what to plant to make the perfect show mead.

**Arneba28** · 05-26-2009, 07:16 AM

Thats DIY to the max

homebrewer_99 · 05-26-2009, 12:37 PM

I think we're all interested in the bees...I know I am. I've been doing some reading lately. I may go the same route

How much did you pay for the skeps?

Did you buy one of those "bee sets" (1 queen and some drones)

Limited Visibility · 05-26-2009, 03:32 PM

Wow this sounds awesome...

digdan · 05-26-2009, 03:56 PM

I read BeeKeeping for Dummies to get me started. I then purchased a starter kit, another hive kit, and two top feeders from Beekeeping Equipment, Beekeeper Supplies and Beekeeping Starter Kits, spent around $300 for everything.

Then I found a local beekeeper and purchased "nucs" or small startup colonies for $75/colony.

After everything is said and done I spent $450 for the whole shabang. Thats all the investment I need(besides honey extraction, but I'll do that in the fall). As long as I can make hives, I can expand my bees, and of course expand my honey. Each colony can product 50 to 100+ lbs of honey per year. In turn, after a couple years, I'm saving money I would of spent on honey for my meads in the long run, and turning a profit with the excess honey.

Quote:

Originally Posted by homebrewer_99

I think we're all interested in the bees...I know I am. I've been doing some reading lately. I may go the same route

How much did you pay for the skeps?

Did you buy one of those "bee sets" (1 queen and some drones)

Nomadic_Joel · 05-26-2009, 06:42 PM

its like a snake eating its own tail! Wow man, good luck. I know that here in cunuck land the government is having a hard time finding new young people to get into Apiculture...so there are lots of grants/help....and free courses. If I had a tiny bit of land...I would be doing this now.

bubbachunk · 05-26-2009, 07:46 PM

pure awesomeness, I hope to possibly due this some day

LastKnight · 05-26-2009, 09:43 PM

I salute you there, digdan.

ScottM · 05-26-2009, 10:45 PM

Very cool. Please keep us posted as you get this process going.

riderkb · 05-26-2009, 10:55 PM

Yesterday I found a colony of wild bees in my yard. Any idea how to tempt them down out of a hollow tree 30' off the ground without getting stung or breaking my neck?

I tried starting a hive from a nuc three years ago, but the colony absconded while I was on vacation. I wonder if they have been up in that tree ever since.