Do I need much space for a hive?

No. A single hive needs only about a square metre of ground plus a clear flight path. Plenty of urban sections in New Zealand run a hive or two without issue, as long as the entrance faces away from neighbours and there is a barrier to lift the bees up over fence height.

Is it expensive to start?

Budget a few hundred dollars for a hive, a suit, basic tools and a smoker, plus the cost of a nucleus colony of bees. Registration itself is free. The ongoing costs are varroa treatments and the annual American foulbrood levy, both of which are modest for a single hive.

Can I keep bees if I am away during the week?

Yes, as long as you can reliably check and treat the hive on a regular cycle. Bees do not need daily attention, but varroa monitoring and disease inspection cannot be skipped, so you need to commit to a routine through the warmer months.

The Shop is Coming Soon

We are putting together a New Zealand shop. In the meantime, everything you need to plan and grow is free on the website.

Cover of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty Garden Planner

Printable PDF available now

Garden Planners

An undated planner with your region's planting calendar printed in every month: what to sow, plant out and pick, with the facing pages left for you to write in. 9 New Zealand editions: a printable colour PDF for NZ$9.95 here, or the paperback, A$19.95 on Amazon Australia.

See inside the planners →

Find your growing region and see what to plant now
Plan beds with the bed planner
Browse the plant library and pest guide
Go deeper on the homestead: chickens, bees, worms and preserving

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