> What about natural indications to start spring feeding?

I figure the time to stimulate with pollen patties is about a month to three 
weeks before reliable pollen starts coming in.  That is mid-March around 
here, since crocus starts around April 20th.

Beekeepers here are using patties that include as much as 15% pollen, so 
concerns about supplements being incomplete diets are less.  I suppose that 
means we could start sooner, but IMO, pushing too early results in more 
expense, work, more bees, perhaps, but less profit since there is nothing 
for the bees to do, unless splitting is the goal.  Even then, encouraging 
overexpansion in unsettled weather may result in damage to overall health 
and setbacks if the temperatures drop and the wind picks up.

IMO, many of our problems are a direct result of trying to get too much out 
of our bees. 

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