What is an Apiary
'Api' is a Latin word meaning "bee". An apiary is a plot of land that is used to house and manage multiple beehives. It does not exist in nature because in nature, there is no human intervention with feral (wild) colonies.
When mankind discovered bees, we decided to "manipulate" their natural habitat so that we could get more honey.
As we have learned more about apis mellifera (honey bees), we have found an even greater benefit to mankind, the pollination of our crops! Large-scale agricultural operations often have massive pollination needs. The almond groves in California are a good example. Acres full of almond trees must be flooded with pollinating insects, otherwise we would no longer be able to enjoy this healthy nut!
A secondary purpose involves honey producers. They must have a place to suit their operational needs. They harvest large volumes of honey , so they must avoid driving from one beehive to the next to gather honey.
Hence, keeping honey bees in an apiary is one of the most ancient of ways to increase our food production. It is a permanent setting for beehives, to encourage bees to remain in the area where crops are planted and they enable us to harvest honey efficiently.
Getting Started
When first starting your apiary, it is recommended to start with at least two hives. There are two reasons for this...
COMPARISON - evaluate the true condition of each hive through comparison, and...
COOPERATION - supplement weakness in one hive with strength from other hive.
A set of beehives should be set up early enough in the year to give the new bees adequate opportunity to build up their stores of honey and bee bread before winter arrives.
bee packages are sent to their customers in spring,For this reason, most honey before the nectar flow is in full swing.
An ideal site is...
* near plenty of pollen and nectar (flowers, gardens, ornamental plants and trees, etc.)
* near clean water
* protected by a wind-break of some kind (hedge, building, etc.)
* dry
* semi-shady in hot climates...sunny in moderate climates. Note: Small Hive Beetles pefer shady places, Place the Hives in Sunny locations.
As a new beekeeper, it is always best to start off with new equipment.
In years past, many beekeepers would pay landowners in honey (instead of money) for the rental of small plots of land. Even today, many farmers will not charge ANY rent in exchange for the pollination of their crops.
Generally, one hive will adequately pollinate one acre. Too many hives in a small area will create conditions where hives may rob resources from each other instead of foraging from plants. This leads to smaller amounts of honey and pollen being produced.
Some types of bees will forage at farther distances than others. The average radius from the hive is typically a little less than 3 miles. This means that one set of beehives could have an impact on the surrounding 18,000 acres of plants!
Some apiarists recommend housing no more than 40 beehives in a permanent apiary.
Consider the potential ramifications of not having a beehive near you...
In many instances, if bees did not spread pollen from flower to flower, those plants would not set any fruit from those flowers.
