Beekeeping

[Lightspeed]

Spuzzana's comments about beekeeping on the food preservation thread have prompted me to re-evaluate the possibility of keeping bees at the Retreat.

I'd discounted beekeeping being viable for me as my garden is east facing, we have short summers, and very cold winters up here.

That was until a couple of weeks ago when I found a pile of old picture frames in the loft.... They are beekeeping/ honey making prize-winner certificates. The man who lived in our house from 1920s to late 90s was an avid beekeeper.

Curiosity re-awakened this morning, has seen an order for the Ted Hooper book winging its way to Amazon.

QUESTIONS FOR EXPERIENCED BEEKEEPERS:

I would like to keep Bees here at the retreat. But remoteness of its location means that normally our visit frequency will be every two to three weeks.

How labour intensive are bees to keep? Is it possible to set up hives in such a way that three weekly attention will keep them healthy? Until the book arrives, I'm guessing that I'll have to lay on some sort of water /drinking station arrangement?

What time of year is it best to establish a new hive?

Are there specific hive recommendations?

How to over-winter bee colonies in sub zero conditions?

All advice will be appreciated.