Lizzie227 wrote: ↑21 Apr 2019, 08:51
Hi, we would like to know whether it is possible to have a hive in the vegetable garden (next to a small orchard), just for the pollination benefits? We are not interested in collecting the honey - we would prefer to leave it to the bees. We live in North Yorkshire, the hive would be set against a stone wall that is exposed to morning sun. The vegetable garden has two stone walls and two low fences. Our garden is very bee friendly already.
Bees should not be considered as pets, they are more like livestock. They need care and a certain level of husbandry like sheep or cattle require. They suffer from parasites, fungal & viral infections and 2 bacterial infections several of which are notifiable by law.
There are times when you may need to remove honey to give them space and times when you may need to feed it back to them. You also need to give thought to swarming which is a natural process they will go through. You don't want a swarm of bees from your hive disappearing down your neighbours chimmney.
I would suggest either going on a beekeeping course before you get bees or, if you just want pollination, offer a space to a local beekeeper for a colony or 2. They will look after them, the plants will get pollinated and you will still have the amazing pleasure of watching them each day. That is reward in its own, they are brilliant.
Cheers, Mick.