The apiary site is the most lasting decision a beekeeper makes. Colonies can be managed, queens replaced, equipment renewed; the site usually stays the same for years.

And it determines most of the yield: bees bring in only what is around them.

Forage

A bee can fly several kilometres, but distant forage is inefficient. Flight energy rises with distance and the net gain falls.

The real question in assessing a site is therefore not "how far can she fly" but what is in the immediate surroundings.

What to look for:

• Is there continuous flowering through the season, or a single intense period
• Is there an early spring pollen source
• Is there late summer and autumn forage
• Is it monoculture or a mixed landscape

A short, intense single flow is worth less than a long, balanced flowering.

Sun and wind

• Morning sun: Gets the bees moving early and lengthens the flying time
• Midday shade: In hot regions it reduces the colony's cooling burden
• Wind protection: Constant wind hinders flight and increases heat loss in winter

Ground and moisture

Dry ground is essential. Permanently damp, shaded and still positions create the conditions for mould, chalkbrood and septicaemia.

• Keep away from watercourses and areas that flood
• Do not site in hollows; cold air collects there
• Raise the hives off the ground

Water

Colonies need water for cooling and for diluting stores. If there is no natural water nearby the beekeeper must provide it.

Without your own water source the bees will go to a neighbour's pool, a livestock trough or a dripping tap — and that is the commonest cause of complaints.

Access

Full supers are heavy. An apiary that cannot be reached by vehicle becomes a serious burden at harvest.

Access must also hold up in winter and wet weather; not being able to reach the apiary in an emergency costs colonies.

Neighbours and security

• The flight path should not face a footpath, a road or a neighbour's garden
• Keep away from livestock buildings
• Visibility increases the risk of theft; a site out of sight but accessible is preferable
• Find out about agricultural spraying in the area

How many colonies

The number of colonies a site can carry is limited by its forage. Excessive density weakens colonies, increases robbing and deepens competition with wild bees.

In areas with limited forage, limiting colony numbers protects both the yield and the environment.

Legal position

Rules on establishing an apiary, distance requirements and registration differ by country and local authority. Learn the rules for your area before choosing a site.