Construction Begins

Following the site inspection by Margaret, I had my work cut out for me to prepare a strong, stable base on which to place the hive (when it arrives). The key points I considered during the construction were:

The (soon to be) hive site

Location & Flight-path: The bees need to have a clear path in and out of the hive, yet this flight path should take advantage of natural or erected barriers to help the bees to stay away from places where people or animals are likely to be. Avoiding objects that may get pooped also earns the urban beekeeper additional neighborly credits.

The spot we identified in the garden sits next to our driveway in a raised bed. Note there is a plant smack bang in the middle of what will be the flight path, so that's got to go (never liked the damn ugly plant anyway). We will also be raising the hive up on a platform to ensure it stays level, out of the wet (if it ever rains), and to give us somewhere to work during inspections.

Stability: A hive full of bees and honey is heavy, the base therefore must be engineered to hold the weight without subsidence into the ground on which it stands. Hives like to be level, or marginally tilted forward to help any water run out during periods of heavy rain.

Foundation blocks in place

To help with this, I utilised some off-cuts of tanalised timber placed at right angles under the concrete blocks, both of which were partially dug into the garden bed. Making (and keeping) the block level took a fair bit of time, but once set - I was able to pack earth back around the block to hold it in place and give the rest of the structure a solid foundation.

Completed foundations

Completed foundations

Space: The hive isn't the only thing that needs to stay off the ground. You need somewhere to put your tools and hive boxes during an inspection, and this position had the complication of being on a slope, thus requiring a wider base (see stability point above). 

Lots of space, one could argue there's enough room for two hives! ;)

Finished(ish) view - note the cross bracing for load distribution

Now, while the size of the platform (and it's location in the garden next to our entrance driveway) haven't won me much in the way of points from my dearly beloved, it's well positioned for sun, flight path, it's stable and provides enough room to work, as well as sit and watch the comings and goings. 

I have read that it's good to go listen to your bees to keep an eye (ear) on changes without the disruption of taking the roof off their home to nosey around inside, so having a spot to sit will also be nice. All it needs now is a mesh top (prevents rain splashes up the side of the hive) and... well... a hive!

In terms of redeeming lost WAF points, I will be planting a line of lavender in front of the platform (actually to the side of the platform as the hive will sit) which will, within a year grow to a height where it will hide much of the block work without straying in front of the flight path. It will also serve to give a physical border to the foraging bees to direct them away from the driveway area, and send them down the garden and up and away over the cherry trees (seen below). 

Looking down the flight line