Newbee in Nova Scotia seeking advice

[rpcroll]

Hi Perry,
Yes, good to make contact.
Next spring I may be expanding to 2 hives and will need more supplies. Do you go to Country Fields or do you have them ship? How much is shipping? I actually like to support the Foote's as a valuable local resource, but must plan a day to drive to Cambridge. I would just like to weigh alternatives.
Following up on Adam's original post, do you know of anyone in Nova Scotia with top bar hives?
Roger

[Sam-Smith]

I think its awesome that you want to try TBH, I find its much less work intensive then most lang methods, since you don't store anything outside the hive eg. supers frames ect. no cleaning, and depending on how you keep your bees no feeding either so that's no hauling 55gal drums of suger water. There is also some evidence of disease/verroa resistance. I uploaded some pictures of my hive designs hopefully they can give you some ideas. Btw I love talking about bees and tbh's if you have any questions let me know XD

woops forgot link

pictures
http://s803.photobucket.com/albums/yy317/topbarsam/

Sam.

[PerryBee]

Hey Roger:

I usually order my supplies from Country Fields and the shipping is way cheaper than if I did the one hour drive with my truck to the Valley to Foote's Family Farm. I actually ordered something Thursday afternoon, was told to expect it early next week and it arrived Friday afternoon (two days ago) so I have no complaints about that. George and Ruth at Country Fields are nice to deal with as well. That said, George Foote is pretty good too.
I did have someone come up to me at the farmers market this summer in Bridgewater and left me his name and number, he had a couple of top-bar hives, but do you think I can find it? No way. I have been tempted to try one as it looks like it would be way easier on the back but for moving it around it wouldn't work. Maybe time to sneak one into my backyard.
One thing I find interesting here in N.S. (I'm from B.C. originally) is that there are no Beekeeping clubs. I belonged to one out west and we had monthly meetings (except a couple of summer months) with little door prizes and stuff, lots of great conversation, etc. I realize many of us are spread out but I know I would drive the one hour into Halifax if there were a club there.
I have nineteen hives right now but I am expecting to lose a few this winter, smaller numbers in a few (probably should have combined). Had a good winter last year, went ten for ten, but I am not as optimistic this year. If you are ever in the area let me know.

Perry

[PerryBee]

Hey Sam:

I just checked out your photos, nice set-up. Sure looks like it would be easier on the back alright.

Perry

[rpcroll]

Yes, I could be interesting to have a regular club. You (and others) are probably aware of the NS Beekeepers Assoc. which only meets once a year (last year in beginning March). I met some good people who were very helpful over my first year, but it really is dominated by a few blueberry growers.
Plus in the end of Nov there is the upcoming Maritime Beekeepers Association Annual Meeting in Moncton. Finally, there was the Natural Beekeeping Workshop held July 3-5 in New Germany. So there are a few activities, but not regular informal meetings. I think that it would be great to discuss more about organic and other alternative (e.g., TBH) methods. Do you get details of these meetings from Joanne?
Roger

[Adam Foster Collins]

Sam,

Great photos thank you. You've got nice looking hives. You've elected to go with a side entrance. Can you tell us why - and if you've tried others?

Perry and Roger,

I got an email from Jerry Draheim, of the NSBA, and he said that they've been "fairly inactive as of late". I also emailed the contact at the Halifax Bee Association, and haven't heard back.

With so much fruit and berry growing in Nova Scotia, I'm surprised there is not more organized activity.

Adam

[Adam Foster Collins]

Sam, what dimensions do you use in the TPH? I'm mulling over dimensions now, and I want it big enough, but not too big. What do you like?


Adam

[rpcroll]

I am all new to this myself, but I think you actually identified the reason why there is little beekeeping here. Apples and blueberries. Nova Scotia is mostly woods, not rolling farm land with mixed fields or affluent suburbs with gardens. In its hay-day there were family farms in the Valley, around Bridgewater and around Shubenacadie as centres. Other centres were much smaller. Let's face it our climate ain't the best and this is all combined with awfully rocky and acidic soil. We are a fishing province not a strong house of farming. Now with the virtual demise of the family farm we have mostly big scale operations. Up until recnetly the money in agriculture was from the apples of the Valley. Bees are important for that crop and it is no surprise that the Foote Family Farm with its 700 hives produces apples and honey. There is a bit of research centred at the Kentville Ag Canada station, but about 10-15 years ago things shifted to blueberries around Oxford and this is dominated by the Braggs who own 10,000 hives. I have the feeling that the apple crop is now only viewed as a way of keeping the bees fed before the blueberries.
In contrast, I do not think that my own hives even have access to any farm crops whatsoever. There are only horse farms out this way. They live on maple, willow, dandelions, clover in yards and then the big crops of goldenrod and asters on the roadside in the fall.
Anybody care to suggest a few other local nectar/pollen sources?
Roger