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.

How Planting Season Compares

Thinking about which gardening tool to use in New Zealand? Here is how Planting Season stacks up against the alternatives, region by region and feature by feature.

Planting Season vs GrowVeg
Planting Season vs Gardenate

The short version: Planting Season is built around 8 New Zealand climate regions with local sowing calendars, a plant library, the homestead guides and free website tools. See pricing or find your region to start.