This year, we’re embarking on a new adventure! Some who’ve attended The Gizmo Dojo‘s meetings have heard about it, and some have even helped!
We’re starting a beehive! We had been interested in the idea for some time, but when the Flow Hive hit the market last year, we pre-ordered, and our hive arrived just a bit before Christmas. We ordered bees (a nuc) early this year, and started assembling the hive several weeks ago. I was able to finish assembling it with the help of a fellow maker at The Gizmo Dojo.
this is before finishing and personalization
I showed the bottom board to a friend and asked him to make a stand for the hive, and he really outdid himself! It’s angle steel, welded, ground smooth, and painted black, and should really last forever.
Now, bee arrival is imminent (they should be here this weekend), and we’re putting the final touches on our hive setup.
We etched a design into the front panel above the entrance:
And finished the hive with tung oil:
blocks separate the pieces so the oil can dry
Now, with only a couple days left, I’ve inserted all of the frames, including the fancy Flow frames (pictured), and printed a couple frame hooks for while we inspect and work in the hive (frame hooks: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:408146):
new Flow frames in the honey super with empty frames hanging from the frame hooks
With only a couple days left, I’ll be getting a few pavers and creating a level spot for the hive. I had to remove a small, and not entirely happy, bush from the hive’s new home. I’ll then be setting up the hive and installing a couple straps to hold it down in the strong winds we get (foliage should be growing up to help with that issue over time).
Broomfield legalized beekeeping last Spring, and the law went into effect in October (too late to start any hives). The 180-day delay was designed to allow HOA’s to react to the change and implement any restrictions they wanted. Ours is the only HOA in Broomfield that elected not to ban beekeeping!
I had to go in and get a license, and discuss my hive placement with the city. It was an entertaining time, and I learned a lot about the city annexations and history.
I hope to be posting videos of the bees and our beekeeping activities throughout the season, and I’ll update this site with more post and photos!
As always, feel free to ask any questions or share your adventures in the comments!