Next winter plans

[danno]

I have 4 yards which 2 are impossible to get to once the snow starts getting deep.  I decide that next year about middle Nov just before the snow comes that I am going to round them all up and bring them back to my farm.    The 2 yards off the beaten path have 20 colonies each.  It will be way easier to keep a eye on them here at home

[splitrock]

Sounds like a good plan. I bring all mine home too by then.

[Bush_84]

I also plan on consolidating my hives, but I am moving.  So I will be consolidating because I will be two and half hours away from my current out apiaries. 

[merince]

It is a good plan for a real winter like we're having right now. However, the last 2-3 winters before that have been exceptionally mild. Imagine what your yard is going to look like during a warm winter - 40 hives plus however many hives you have at home flying and looking for nectar sources. You will have major robbing and the bees might start bugging you and your neighbors.

In my region 40+ hives is a lot to keep in one spot.

[danno]

It would.be about 70 but robbing is manageable

[tefer2]

Dan, can you get the plow truck to them at home?
Last few years I was able to drive right up to the out yards.
Not the case this winter.
Have thought real hard about a snowmobile this winter.

[danno]

Yes I have plowed to my home yard and another on a friends farm.  These are all doing good.  Most years I can get to all of them until almost Jan.  The 2 yards are about 1/2 mile off the road across open field.   If I bring them all home I can monitor them weekly

[tefer2]

Oh Boy, another reason to buy a new machine!
I still like the idea of the 3 point forks for the tractor.

[GSF]

..so that's where all the California snow went.