Bees
 

Hi there. Just curious about bees and when they make honey. How long do they stay around and what's involved. I might get into it with a few boxes just for home but I'd like to know from some people first. Thanks

There is quite a bit to bee keeping, hive management can be tricky. However, with a bit of time spent and a possibly a good mentor, most people could do a decent job of keeping some hobby bees around. Looks like you are in Calgary, not all that far from olds college, which has an introductory bee keeping course over a weekend I believe (ie never gone myself).

To answer some of your questions:
1) bees make honey as long as the nectar is flowing (plants flowering). You an count on May/June to end of August as their production months.
2) if properly managed, a hive sticks around forever. There are some factors that make them more prone to swarming. They have relatively poor winter survival rates, I believe the provincial average is about 60%.
3) a fantastic hobby, interesting no doubt.

If you are interested in trying some hives, PM me. I've sold a few starter kits to people in the past., and I try to make sure people are set up with a hive that has potential. Unfortunately they aren't cheap.

Best of luck.