Hello all,

I have been a lurker on this board for a few years. I recently purchased a house and five acres in NY and will be moving there this summer, so I plan to start beekeeping next spring if possible. Right now a majority of the acreage is planted in hay. The property is very rural, with dairy farms nearby, and an organic apple orchard a mile or so away, and hardwoods surrounding the property.

I plan to plant part of the acreage in flowers (type depending on what the soil sample suggests, but until then will the hay field be enough to support two to three hives? I do not have a pond, but I can set up a water vessel near the hives.

Any suggestions appreciated!

Rosie