Preformatted textI’m new to beekeeping and our area of southern Alberta 200km south of calgary) is dry and very windy. Having trouble deciding best location for our flowhive. There is a space behind our shed and between the east fence that is protected, still has good sun exposure but is only about 6 feet wide and the entrance for the hive would face North but still sunny. Do you think it might work?2022-04-09T06:00:00Z
Hi & welcome to the forum.
I think the best option is to give a hive morning sun, with afternoon shade, as well as face the entrance away from the dominant cold winds. Another consideration, which may not apply, however worth mentioning is that bees are attracted to lights during the night.
If you consider the northern latitude and the dates of the honey season, the sun would rise in the NE or maybe ENE so you might get very early sun if there isn’t much blocking the rays on the horizon.
Maybe @Doug1 can add some commentary?
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Thanks very much! Helpful information has eased my mind
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Although you are giving your hive some protection from wind/chilling effect, north facing entrances in Alberta usually work to the detriment of the hive when compared to the other 3 direction orientations…that has been our conclusion over time.
As you are limited for options, is there any chance you could put your hive inside your shed…facing the entrance (through the wall) either south or west? We run our hives inside a building year round with tube entrances that go through the wall to the outside (doesn’t need to be as fancy as the photos shown for summer mode). You will notice the sheltered warmer inside temperature will allow for the honey to flow more easily from the Flow frames when harvesting.
Inside:
Outside
Thanks for the suggestion. Much appreciated. On the south of our shed there’s only about 3 feet between the shed and 6 foot solid fence. On the west is the door and the east is about 6 feet between shed and fence so not much early morning sun. I was wondering if we put the hive in our yard and bolt a wind fence on three sides with east facing open if the bees would be able to manage that? The wind fence is line screen material sort of and wound be about 5 feet high.
That is not a problem for the bees. Many of us have bees very close to 6ft and taller barriers. They just fly upwards as soon as they take off. 
The only thing to consider is whether you would have enough space to work the hive and harvest.
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That will be the plan to have enough room around the wind fence to work and harvest even if we have two hives
Thank you soooo much!
Wendy