Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Lane
I have area that would be similar. Mostly corn, wheat and soybeans nearby, well and cows. What do you set the hives on and how do keep grass clear if it's just setting on the ground?
I'm thinking some big pavers with lots of plastic under them then set the hive on 5/4 treated base.
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I think that would work. If possible I think I'd try to stay at least a little ways from the ag crop fields to avoid pesticide spray.
Everyone does them a little different.
My bases currently are a tarp with mulch on top of them and I have pallets leveled(a little high on the back side to keep water from running into hive entrance). One of the other guys has gravel leveled and then has built bases of 2x6 on top of 4x4 posts.
I've seen other people set posts and build a platform a little higher than knee high to make it a little easier to work on them.
My thought is if you mulch around them so the entrance doesn't get blocked and you have room to work them, tarps and mulch has worked fine. My hayfield is mowed 3-4 times per year within 20' of the hives and I've whacked weeds down once or twice. That's mostly so I can peek out the bedroom window and see them with bincocs.
I'm not sure there is a right answer as long as the location, light and wind protection is good. But....I haven't kept bees through a winter yet, so don't listen to the new guy as gospel.
I bought the book "bee keeping for dummies" and it's got a lot of great information.