Am a few weeks in now. I am reading up and have joined the New Forest Beekeepers Association (NFBKA).
I have read or am reading the following books:
Practical Manual of Beekeeping - David Cramp (in Christchurch library) - Definitely a manual for once you have bees as it goes in to detail on how to do stuff etc. Good opening chapters on colony function and how the colony works. British author with British view on beekeeping.
Beekeeping for Dummies - Howland Blackistone (in Christchurch library) - Takes you through step by step from equipment to acquiring your first bees and how to install them. Good section on systematic inspection and disease control/prevention. American author and some things are typically American. Good general handbook but American influence probably too much to warrant buying as a reference book.
Bees at the bottom of the garden - Alan Campion (in Christchurch library) - good beginners book although it seems a bit old now. Has been updated to include Varroa info but still shows its age. Lovely drawings and amusingly written. Not one to buy.
Books I hope to read are:
Guide to bees and honey - Ted Hooper
Practical beekeeping - Clive de Bruyn (in Poole library)
A world without bees - Alison Benjamin (in Poole library)
I am also listening to some podcasts:
"The Beekeepers Podcast" This is by a guy in Northern Kentucky and goes through what a beginner needs to know. Very enjoyable
"The Natural Beekeeper" By a guy in the UK who uses top bar hives and natural methods - quite interesting and a bit political too.
Looking forward to getting started but I need to get some experience around bees and hives via the NFBKA and it would be good to do a beginner's course before I start. Unfortunately that means some delay as I have just missed the Spring ones and the next will not be until the Autumn with the NFBKA but I can do a taster day with Bournemouth & Dorset BKA.
I also need to think about location - I would love to keep one in the garden but I'm not sure how the neighbours would react or how much of a nuisance they could be in the house. The site is ideal in other ways due to shelter, sun, water etc. Finding somewhere local may be difficult, I may put a notice in the church bulletin to see if anyone knows of a suitable site.
Getting started could be expensive BUT I have just got a modest but unexpected bonus from work (!) and I would like to set that aside for set up costs.
Next on the agenda is to attend the Beginner's Beekeeping One Day Taster being run by Bournemouth & Dorset BKA in April and see how I enjoy being around the bees and getting into the hives.
